On Thursday, October 26, 2023, the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct filed a complaint against Judge Robert M. LePore, accusing him of violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. The complaint alleges that Judge LePore, a part-time municipal court judge in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, engaged in various improper activities on his personal Facebook account.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Robert M. LePore,” with case no. 2023-317.
The charges cited Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 1, Rule 1.1, Canon 2, Rule 2.1, 2.3(a), 2.3(b), Canon 3, rule 3.17(b), Canon 5, rule 5.1(a)(b)(1), 5.1(b)(2), Canon 7, rule 7(a)(2) which requires:
Judges to observe high standards of conduct to preserve the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.
Judges to avoid impropriety, and the appearance of impropriety and to act, at all times, in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality
Judges from conveying the impression that any person or organization is in a position to influence them.
Judges to disqualify themselves in proceedings in which their impartiality or the appearance of their impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
Judges to conduct their extrajudicial activities in a manner that would not demean the judicial office
Prohibits judges from participating in activities that can be reasonably anticipated to lead to frequent disqualifications.
Prohibits judges from participating in activities that would appear to reasonable, fully informed persons to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality.
Judges to remain free of politics and the political process, including making speeches for a political organization or candidate, or publicly endorsing a candidate for public office.
Judges avoid lending the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so.
The complaint asserts that Judge LePore expressed support for law enforcement and partisan political viewpoints on his Facebook page, liked and followed various law enforcement and partisan political groups, and maintained “friendships” with attorneys and private businesses. The complaint alleges that Judge LePore’s conduct violated several Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The complaint also alleges that Judge LePore impugned the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary by engaging in a conflict of interest when presiding over matters involving police officers and by conveying the impression that certain individuals or organizations are in a position to influence him. The complaint requests that the Supreme Court of New Jersey take appropriate disciplinary action against Judge LePore.
Judge LePore’s courtroom is located at 416 New Jersey Ave., Pt Pleasant Beach, New Jersey 08742, and can be reached at 732-892-1118. His info can be found on martindale.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
