On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced the resignation of Kevin E. Copeland, a Justice of the New Hartford Town Court in Oneida County. His resignation follows formal charges of misconduct related to the improper receipt of unemployment benefits. The commission reported that Copeland received nearly $14,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
The allegations against Copeland stemmed from a Formal Written Complaint served to him in July 2024. The complaint indicated that the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) determined that Copeland had made a “factually false statement” and concealed relevant information concerning his judicial compensation. Following the DOL’s findings, Copeland repaid the amount he had received.
The stipulation formalizing his resignation was completed on October 16, 2024, and the Commission accepted it on October 24, 2024. Copeland’s resignation is effective as of October 31, 2024. As part of the resignation agreement, he has also consented to never return to his position.
Judge Copeland, who is not a licensed attorney, has been serving on the New Hartford Town Court since 2014. His current term was set to expire on December 31, 2025. Throughout the pandemic, he reportedly certified that he had worked zero days on at least 17 occasions to the DOL, despite fulfilling his duties as a judge during that time, including presiding over off-hours arraignments.
In his case, Copeland waived the confidentiality provisions typically associated with Commission proceedings, allowing for public disclosure of the stipulation and acceptance order.
Robert H. Tembeckjian, Administrator of the Commission, emphasized the importance of compliance with rules regarding unemployment benefits for part-time justices. He stated that such adherence is crucial to maintaining public trust in the judiciary, particularly when judges collect benefits they are not entitled to receive.
