On Monday, September 30, 2024, the Times Union reported that Town Justice George Meyers Jr. of New Windsor has been suspended amid an ongoing investigation, as confirmed by Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti. The suspension was communicated to the town attorney by the state Office of Court Administration on September 23, although specific reasons for Meyers’ suspension have not been disclosed due to the investigation’s sensitive nature involving the Office of Court Administration and the state Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Meyers’ judicial responsibilities are currently being handled by New Windsor Justice Noreen Calderin and Newburgh Town Justice Richard Clarino, according to Bedetti.
The suspension follows serious allegations made by senior court clerk Patricia Tarsio, who filed a federal workplace gender discrimination lawsuit against Meyers and the Town of New Windsor in February. In her lawsuit, Tarsio claims that since 2021, Meyers engaged in sexual harassment by making inappropriate comments at work and retaliated against her after she formally complained about his behavior.
In court filings, the town has denied the existence of a hostile work environment or any retaliatory actions against Tarsio. Tarsio has also lodged a complaint with the inspector general of the state Unified Court System, which has been referred to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. This independent agency is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct involving judges at various levels and has the authority to recommend disciplinary actions, ranging from reprimands to removal from office.
Meyers has served as a town justice since 2018, following in the footsteps of his father, George Meyers Sr., who held the position of New Windsor town supervisor for 16 years, including terms that ended in 2023.
Bob Tembeckjian, the administrator and counsel for the Commission on Judicial Conduct, refrained from confirming whether Meyers’ suspension was connected to Tarsio’s allegations, citing confidentiality laws that restrict disclosure.
Michael Miranda, the attorney representing Meyers, declined to comment on the matter, while Michael Sussman, Tarsio’s attorney, has not responded to requests for comment.
Tarsio’s lawsuit claims that Meyers made comments regarding her appearance, solicited meetings outside of work, and disclosed personal details about his romantic life, all of which contributed to her discomfort. A significant portion of the lawsuit revolves around a holiday gathering in January 2023, where Tarsio alleges that Meyers made particularly humiliating remarks regarding a cocktail.
Following this event, Tarsio reported her concerns to Justice Calderin and initiated a complaint with the town attorney’s office. After becoming aware of Tarsio’s complaints, Meyers allegedly retaliated by treating her more harshly and giving her excessive scrutiny at work, which, according to the lawsuit, hampered her court duties.
Tarsio, who has been with the town court since 2008 and became the senior clerk in 2020, claims to have suffered significant emotional distress due to the alleged harassment and retaliation. Earlier this year, she opted to work from home on days when Meyers was present in the court, and she is now serving as a clerk for Calderin. The investigation into the allegations against Meyers remains ongoing.
Source: Times Union
