New York judge Mark Grisanti, accused of shoving a police officer, will be replaced on the bench

Metro

By Nicholas McEntyre

A New York judge who was filmed shoving a police officer and brawling with neighbors during a shirtless bust-up over a parking space will soon be replaced on the bench.

Judge Mark Grisanti, an acting state Supreme Court justice in Buffalo, was not on the list of 25 judicial nominees that Gov. Kathy Hochul sent to the state Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration Wednesday.

Grisanti was also not reappointed to his seat, said a spokesman for committee chairman Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

Grisanti has served as acting state Supreme Court justice in the 8th District since 2018 and will remain in his position until a new justice begins their term.

The 59-year-old jurist has been a “vestige” of the court since his mandate expired last July, while awaiting his replacement.

The Buffalo Police Department was called to Grisanti’s home on June 23, 2020, after the judge, his wife and their neighbors were involved in an argument over parking.

Grisanti believed his neighbors Joseph Mele, 69, and Gina Mele, 57, were trespassing on his driveway in Buffalo, leading to a heated confrontation that turned physical between the two families.

Grisanti’s wife, Maria, was handcuffed and thrown to the ground as the shirtless judge allegedly threatened responding officers.

“You better leave my fucking wife,” Grisanti said as he shoved an officer.

Grisanti told police he was friends with Mayor Byron Brown, had relatives on the force and would be sorry if they didn’t release his wife.

“You arrest my f***ing wife… you’re going to regret it,” he said.

Grisanti was then handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.

He eventually apologized for pushing the officer before being taken away.

Grisanti allegedly lost family members at the time of the incident, which contributed to his viral meltdown, according to CJC court documents filed by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office did not file any charges against Grisanti after weeks of review.

Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo told the station that officers decided not to charge Grisanti because he “didn’t tackle anyone, he didn’t hit them – he shoulder-butted them.”

In April, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct voted to censure Grismanti for his “particularly poor judgment.”

The commission voted 6-4 in favor of censure, but narrowly rejected the administrator’s recommendation that he be removed from office.

The commission also faulted Grisanti for participating in legal matters involving a lawyer who made payments to him in a business transaction.

Grisanti was elected to the New York State Senate in 2010, re-elected in 2012, and was tasked with representing areas of Western New York.

Grisanti’s attorney, Terrence Connors, supported his client, calling him an exemplary judge.

“The lawyers and judges who know his work best want him to continue on the bench,” Connors said. “Even the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, after a thorough investigation, confirmed that, overall, two hours of misconduct does not warrant his removal from his position on the court.”

With post wires