On Friday, October 11, 2024, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct recommended that Supreme Court Justice Thomas Quinones of Westchester County be formally admonished for misconduct related to his support of friends’ applications for pistol permits. The commission concluded that Judge Quinones had acted improperly by identifying himself as a judge in character reference letters for two family friends seeking pistol licenses.

In 2022, Judge Quinones completed two character reference letters, in which he noted his position as a “Supreme Court Justice” within the New York State courts. Following his involvement, he later rescinded these letters, acknowledging the inappropriateness of his actions.

Additionally, the commission found that Judge Quinones engaged in undisclosed ex parte communications. In August 2022, he had a private conversation with an attorney representing a plaintiff in a case he was presiding over. The judge did not disclose this conversation to the opposing party, which is a violation of judicial conduct rules.

The commission’s investigation also revealed that Judge Quinones failed to file his 2021 financial disclosure statement in a timely manner. After receiving two notices regarding the overdue filing, he eventually submitted the statement more than three months late.

In accepting the recommended admonition, Quinones acknowledged that his behavior was improper and warranted disciplinary action. The commission stated that maintaining public confidence in the judiciary is essential, and invoking a judicial title for personal gain undermines that trust.

Judge Quinones has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court in Westchester County since 2022, with his current term set to expire on December 31, 2035. His case was initiated with a Formal Written Complaint dated May 15, 2024, which included three charges against him. After filing an answer to the complaint on June 27, 2024, the judge and the commission reached an Agreed Statement of Facts on August 16, 2024. This statement detailed the facts of the case and the agreed-upon sanction, waiving any further submissions or oral arguments. The commission accepted this statement on September 19, 2024.

A copy of the press release can be found here.