On Monday, July 8, 2024, the New Jersey Supreme Court suspended Elizabeth Municipal Court Judge Richard Obuch from exercising his judicial duties without pay while disciplinary proceedings are pending against him.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Richard Obuch,” with case number ACJC 2024-205.

The order came after the state’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) filed a formal complaint alleging Judge Obuch violated several provisions of New Jersey’s Code of Judicial Conduct. Specifically, the complaint claims Obuch failed to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary, act in a manner promoting public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the courts, and avoid improperly using the prestige of judicial office.

The alleged misconduct dates back to last December when Judge Obuch attended the annual holiday party for judges. According to the ACJC complaint, Obuch became visibly intoxicated just 45 minutes after arriving and inappropriately touched and kissed three female court employees without their consent while intoxicated.

One such incident detailed Obuch approaching an employee on the dance floor and dancing inappropriately toward her before following her to the bathroom and blocking the door while making lewd comments. Additionally, the complaint states Obuch maintained multiple social media accounts where he posted explicit images and comments about nude women.

Records show Obuch was seen embracing an adult film actress at a convention in November 2023 and was subscribed to her OnlyFans account. The ACJC argued this type of explicit online behavior demonstrated poor judgment and disrespected the judiciary. Obuch’s law firm website and some personal accounts also referenced his role as a municipal court judge in violation of conduct standards.

This is not the first complaint filed against Judge Obuch. In 2012, he received a reprimand for taking on a private legal case representing an Elizabeth City employee, where he later became involved in a criminal complaint against that individual.

The Supreme Court order suspends Obuch without pay pending the expedited proceedings before the ACJC and until further court order.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.