Michalek Indictment - From New York State Attorney General's Office
Content
COUNT ONE In or about February 2012 through on or about April 20, 2015, in the City of Bualo an! el"e#here in the County of Erie, $tate of Ne# %or&, the !efen!ant, 'O(N A) *IC(A+E, *IC(A+E, -o..itte! the -ri.e -ri.e of Bribe /e-eiing /e-eiing in the the Thir! egree, egree, in iolation of enal +a# $e-tion 200)10, a -la"" felony, in that he, being a publi"erant, "oli-ite!, a--epte!, or agree! to a--ept a bene3t fro. another per"on, upon an agree.ent or un!er"tan!ing that the !efen!ant, 'O(N A) *IC(A+E4" ote, opinion, u!g.ent, a-tion, !e-i"ion or e6er-i"e of !i"-retion a" a publi- "erant #oul! thereby be in7uen-e!) COUNT T8O On or about 'une 29, 2012, in the City of Bualo, County of Erie, $tate of Ne# %or&, the !efen!ant, 'O(N A) *IC(A+E, -o..itte! the -ri.e of Oering a Fal"e In"tru.ent for Filing in the Fir"t egree, in iolation of enal +a# $e-tion 195):5, a -la"" E felony, in that he, &no#ing that a #ritten in"tru.ent -ontaine! a fal"e "tate.ent an! fal"e infor.ation, an! #ith intent to !efrau! the $tate of Ne# %or&, %or&, an! any politi-al "ub!ii"ion, "ub!ii"ion, publipubli- authority, authority, an! publipubli- bene3t -orporation -orporation of the "tate, oere! an! pre"ente! it to a publi- o;-e an! a publi- "erant #ith the &no#le!ge an! belief that it #oul! be 3le! #ith, regi"tere! an! re-or!e! in, an! other#i"e be-o.e part of the re-or!" of "u-h publi- o;-e an! publi- "erant, to #it, a $tate.ent of /ea"on" for a art :< Appoint.ent =For. >92)5? 3le! #ith the Ne# %or& $tate O;-e of Court A!.ini"tration) O@E/@IE8 1) I a. a $enior Ine"tigator Ine"tigat or #ith the Ne# %or& $tate oli-e =N%$?, =N%$ ?, -urrently a""igne! to the Bureau of Cri.inal Ine"tigation, $ Bataia, Ne# %or&) I ba"e thi" Felony Co.plaint upon .y o#n per"onal &no#le!ge, training, e6perien-e, an! the infor.ation proi!e! to .e by thir! partie") The thir! partie" in-lu!e nu.erou" #itne""e" an! the infor.ation -on"i"t" of e.ail an! te6t -o..uni-ation" re-or!" of the Ne# %or& $tate 'oint Co..i""ion on ubli- Ethi-" ='COE? ban& re-or!" an! re-or!" of the Ne# %or& $tate O;-e of Court A!.ini"tration =OCA? in-lu!ing it" o;-ial #eb"ite, 8ebCiil $upre.e, #hi-h proi!e" infor.ation about -iil -a"e" pen!ing before Ne# %or& $tate $upre.e Court") I i!entify the "our-e" of all infor.ation infor.ation proi!e! by thir! partie" an! beliee that the infor.ation infor.ation proi!e! by the. i" true an! a--urate) All !ate" are appro6i.ate an! in-lu"ie) 2) uring all ti.e perio!" releant to thi" Felony Co.plaint, February 2012 through April 2015, 'ohn A) *i-hale& #a" an ele-te! Ne# %or& $tate $upre.e Court 'u"ti-e ='u!ge ='u!ge *i-hale&?) ) $teen $teen igeon =igeon? =igeon? #a" #a" an attorney attorney an! -on"ultant) :) 'u!ge *i-hale& #a" a""igne! to han!le -iil .atter" in Erie County $upre.e $upre.e Court in the Co..er-ial ii"ion bet#een 2010 an! 201:) A--or!ing to re-or!" obtaine! fro. 8ebCiil $upre.e, #itne"" interie#", an! 3nan-ial re-or!", igeon, #hile a-ting in hi" -apa-ity a" a -on"ultant, ha! an intere"t in "eeral la#"uit" pen!ing in front of 'u!ge *i-hale&) Bet#een 2011 an! 201D, !uring the pen!en-y of "o.e of the la#"uit", igeon !ire-tly an! in!ire-tly re-eie! .oney fro. one of the partie" to the la#"uit) igeon4" -olleague" -olleague" an! a-uaintan-e" a-uaintan-e" #ere al"o 3nan-ially inole! in a nu.ber of the la#"uit") D) A" part of an ongoing ine"tigation, ine"tigation, e.ail" an! te6t" of 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon #ere obtaine! by "ear-h #arrant an! "ubpoena, #hi-h I hae reie#e!) The"e e.ail" re7e-t re7e-t an un!er"tan!ing un!er"tan!ing bet#een bet#een 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& an! igeon igeon in #hi-h #hi-h
'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& engage! in o;-ial o;-ial -on!u-t -on!u-t relating to hi" publipubli- o;-e #hi-h #hi-h a!an-e! igeon4" intere"t", #hile "oli-iting, a--epting, an! agreeing to a--ept bene3t" fro. igeon in-lu!ing =1? igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent for a -lo"e relatie of 'u!ge *i-hale& =/E+ATI@E 1? =2? igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "ear-hing "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent an! appointe! po"ition" for a "e-on! -lo"e relatie of 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& =/E+ATI@E =/E+ATI@E 2? an! =:? =:? igeon4" a""i"tan-e #ith #ith re-o..en!ation" re-o..en!ation" for 'u!ge *i-hale& to obtain an appoint.ent to the $upre.e Court, Appellate Appellate ii"ion, Fourth 'u!i-ial epart.ent) The e.ail" "ho# that igeon proi!e! 'u!ge *i-hale& #ith ti-&et" to ho-&ey ga.e" an! a politi-al fun!rai"er) The e.ail" al"o "ho# that the t#o .en .et for brea&fa"t, lun-h an! -oee at ariou" ti.e" bet#een February 2012 an! early 2015) 5) Ba"e! on an e.ail that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent to igeon on $epte.ber D, 2012, it appear" that /E+ATI@E 1 !i! obtain a po"ition on a politi-al -a.paign #ith the a""i"tan-e of one of igeon4" -onta-t") In 201: through 2015, 'u!ge *i-hale& "ought igeon4" help in "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent an! appoint.ent" for po"ition" for /E+ATI@E 2, an! igeon proi!e! "u-h a""i"tan-e) In 2012 through 2015, 'u!ge *i-hale& al"o a"&e! for igeon4" help in re-o..en!ing hi. for an appoint.ent to the Appellate ii"ion, Fourth epart.ent, an! igeon agree! to proi!e "u-h a""i"tan-e) <) At the "a.e ti.e that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ought bene3t" fro. igeon, igeon ha! an intere"t in la#"uit" pen!ing before 'u!ge *i-hale&) uring thi" perio!, 'u!ge *i-hale& &ept igeon appri"e! of the "tatu" of the la#"uit", engage! in e6 parte -o..uni-ation" -o..uni-ation" #ith igeon about the., "ought igeon4" a!i-e an! input on ariou" i""ue" that aro"e #hen the -a"e" -a.e up on hi" -alen!ar, proi!e! igeon #ith a!i-e a" to ho# the -a"e" "houl! be han!le!, an! .a!e faorable ruling" in -ertain "ituation" to prote-t igeon4", hi" -lient"4 an! hi" bu"ine"" a""o-iate"4 intere"t") intere"t") In a!!ition, 'u!ge *i-hale& "ele-te! an attorney of igeon4" -hoo"ing -hoo"ing to han!le a re-eier"h re-eier"hip) ip) A--or!ing to an e.ail, 'u!ge *i-hale& a""igne! igeon to #or& on a fore-lo"ure) E.ail" #ritten bet#een igeon an! 'u!ge *i-hale& illu"trate the o;-ial -on!u-t that 'u!ge *i-hale& engage! in an! the bene3t" that igeon proi!e! to hi. an! hi" fa.ily .e.ber") 9) The Ne# %or& $tate /ule" of the Chief A!.ini"trator of the Court" oerning 'u!i-ial Con!u-t, Con!u-t, -o!i3e! in in 22 N%C// N%C// art art 100, "tate in in releant part part $e-tion 100): A u!ge "hall perfor. the !utie" of u!i-ial o;-e i.partially an! !iligently) =A? 'u!i-ial !utie" in general) The u!i-ial !utie" of a u!ge ta&e pre-e!en-e pre-e!en-e oer all the u!ge4" other a-tiitie") The u!ge4" u!i-ial !utie" in-lu!e all the !utie" of the u!ge4" o;-e pre"-ribe! pre"-ribe! by la#) la#) In the perfor.an-e perfor.an-e of the"e the"e !utie", the the follo#ing "tan!ar!" apply) ) ) =<? A u!ge "hall a--or! to eery per"on #ho ha" a legal intere"t in a pro-ee!ing, or that per"on4" la#yer, the right to be hear! a--or!ing to la#) A u!ge "hall not initiate, per.it, or -on"i!er e6 parte -o..uni-ation", or -on"i!er other -o..uni-ation" -o..uni-ation" .a!e to the u!ge out"i!e the pre"en-e of the partie" or their la#yer" -on-erning a pen!ing or i.pen!ing pro-ee!ing))) /ule :)5=a?=1? of the Ne# %or& $tate /ule" of rofe""ional Con!u-t, proi!e" that
A la#yer "hall not =1? "ee& to or -au"e another per"on to in7uen-e a u!ge)))of a tribunal by .ean" prohibite! by la# or gie or len! anything of alue to "u-h u!ge)))#hen the re-ipient re-ipient i" prohibite! prohibite! fro. fro. a--epting the gift or loan))) loan))) =2? in an an a!er"arial pro-ee!ing pro-ee!ing -o..uni-ate or -au"e another per"on to !o "o on the la#yer4" behalf, a" to the .erit" of the .atter #ith a u!ge) $ECIFIC A++EATION$ >) 'u!ge *i-hale& "oli-ite! igeon for a""i"tan-e in getting /E+ATI@E 1 a ob) Follo#ing 'u!ge *i-hale&4" "oli-itation, igeon agree! to proi!e the a""i"tan-e an! igeon rea-he! rea-he! out ia e.ail" an! te6t .e""age" to hi" ariou" -onta-t" to "ee& e.ploy.ent for /E+ATI@E 1) On the "a.e !ay that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent igeon /E+ATI@E 14" re"u.e, he "ent igeon a -opy of an e6pe!ite! "-he!uling or!er on one of the -a"e" pen!ing before hi. an! a -opy of an or!er pertaining to a pen!ing .otion) G) On *ar-h 2, 2012, in iolation of the Co!e of 'u!i-ial Con!u-t, 'u!ge *i-hale& parti-ipate! in an e6 parte e.ail e6-hange #ith igeon regar!ing a la#"uit pen!ing before hi.) 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! igeon #ith nonHpubli- !etail" -on-erning a .otion 3le! by a nonHparty to the litigation "ee&ing a prote-tie or!er fro. a "ubpoena "ere! by one of the partie") After e6plaining ea-h "i!e4" po"ition to igeon, 'u!ge *i-hale& #rote that, I a. un"ure #hat relief i" "ought, an! #ant to li"ten to the argu.ent") +e"" than t#o hour" later, igeon "ent an e.ail .a&ing an e6 parte argu.ent) igeon "tate! that Thi" nonHpartyJ nonHpar tyJ i" a ba! a-tor) a-tor) ) ) )8e )8e #oul! li&e to "ee all -o..uni-ation" #ith &ey e6e-utie" of the -o.panyJ -lient" an! -o.petitor")))) -o.petitor")))) ) 10) In a #ritten !e-i"ion i""ue! appro6i.ately appro6i.ately t#o #ee&" later, 'u!ge *i-hale& !enie! the .otion for a prote-tie or!er, u"t a" igeon ha! reue"te!) 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent igeon an e.ail #ith a -opy of the !e-i"ion atta-he! an! than&e! igeon for hi" eort" on behalf of /E+ATI@E 1) igeon re"pon!e! by e.ail a "hort ti.e later #ith an oer of a!!itional a""i"tan-e to /E+ATI@E 1) 11) On April :0, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon to up!ate hi. on /E+ATI@E 14" e.ploy.ent "tatu") The "a.e !ay, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon another -opy of /E+ATI@E 14" re"u.e an! tol! igeon he "houl! get on the /e-eier +i"t) igeon re"pon!e!, re"pon!e!, I hae "o.e partner" #ho -oul! be appointe! that -oul! help .e) 12) In *ay 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon -ontinue! to e.ail ea-h other about /E+ATI@E 14" ob pro"pe-t" #ith a national politi-al -a.paign) On *ay 1, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& e.aile! igeon, igeon, If in the .eanti.e))you .eanti.e))you #i"h #i"h for .e to -on"i!er -on"i!er /e-eier"hip" for other" in your o;-e))$ure)) if it help" you))for#ar! .e "o.e na.e"))'ohn) 1:) On *ay 10, 2012, igeon e.aile! 'u!ge *i-hale& the na.e of a lo-al lo-al attorney #ho igeon "ai! i" .y guy) Throughout the re"t of the .onth of *ay 2012, igeon -ontinue! to a""ure 'u!ge *i-hale& that he #a" a""i"ting /E+ATI@E 1 an! that one of hi" -onta-t" #oul! hae a po"ition for /E+ATI@E 1 on a national politi-al -a.paign) Court re-or!" "ho# that on *ay 2:, 2012, an or!er "igne! by 'u!ge *i-hale& #a" 3le! in the Erie County Cler&4" O;-e appointing the la#yer #ho. igeon ha! "ugge"te! to a-t a" a re-eier) 1D) 'u!ge *i-hale& appointe! that la#yer a" a re-eier, een though the la#yer #a" not on the A!.ini"tratie Chief 'u!ge4" li"t of uali3e! re-eier") On *ay 19, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon, telling hi., 8e pu"he! it through any#ay))hae to gie the. a "pe- rea"on et-))#ill 3gure it out))'ohn
15) A--or!ing to the Ne# %or& Co!e, /ule" /ule" an! /egulation" =N%C//?, #hen a u!ge .a&e" .a&e" a re-eier"hip re-eier"hip appoint.ent appoint.ent of an in!ii!ual #ho #ho i" not on the the re-eier"hip li"t, i)e), he ha" not ta&en the reui"ite -our"e to be eligible to obtain "u-h an appoint.ent, the u!ge .u"t 3ll out a For. >92)5, a $tate.ent of /ea"on" for a art :< Appoint.ent) That For. i" then 3le! #ith OCA) 1<) On 'une 29, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& "igne! For. For. >92)5, >92)5, -lai.ing that he reuire! reuire! the e6perti"e of the la#yer #ho. he ha! appointe! at igeon4" "ugge"tion) Ba"e! on the e.ail" e6-hange! bet#een 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon, thi" #a" fal"e be-au"e 'u!ge *i-hale& !i! not &no# the la#yer, #a" not a#are of any e6perti"e the la#yer ha!, an! he &ne# that the la#yer ha! neer before been appointe! a" a re-eier) The e.ail e6-hange" "ho# that 'u!ge *i-hale& appointe! the attorney to the re-eier"hip "olely be-au"e igeon re-o..en!e! the attorney) 19) On e-e.ber 10, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon -on-erning igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "e-uring an appoint.ent to the Ne# %or& $tate $upre.e Court Appellate ii"ion, Fourth epart.ent) igeon agree! to proi!e that a""i"tan-e) 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& #rote, thin& thin& there i" a "eat open in App i))I i))I applie!)))Nor.ally applie!)))Nor.ally I #oul!n4t .ention it to you) you) ) ) #on!er if you -oul! help) help) That "a.e !ay, igeon igeon replie!, I #ill #ill "tart tal&ing u up) ) ) ) On 'anuary >, 201:, *i-hale& *i-hale& #rote to igeon, igeon, Un- $tee))) (o#4! (o#4! you !o #ith the oKKKK) ) ) ) +ater that !ay, igeon igeon re"pon!e!, Bun-h happening))) In Albany no#))) o #ent #ell))) Tal&e! u up) ) ) ) +et4" hae -oee "oon) 1>) A--or!ing to the Ne# %or& $tate 'u!i-iary +a# $e-tion 221Ha, the "alary of an a""o-iate u!ge of the Appellate ii"ion at that ti.e #a" L1DD,000) 1G) For the ne6t t#o an! a half year", 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon -ontinue! to !i"-u"" an Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent) In "o.e of the e.ail" to igeon regar!ing regar!ing the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent, 'u!ge *i-hale& u6tapo"e! igeon4" -ontinue! help #ith a !i"-u""ion of .atter" pen!ing before hi. in #hi-h igeon ha! an intere"t) 20) On O-tober 1, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a"&e! for an up!ate on the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent appoint.ent at the en! of an e.ail -on-erning -on-erning the po""ibility of a "ettle.ent in one of the igeonH-onne-te! la#"uit" pen!ing before before hi.) On O-tober D, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a!i"e! igeon that he #a" -on"i!ering the appoint.ent of a ran! *a"ter on a -a"e to han!le !i"-oery i""ue" an! "ettle.ent) (e en!e! the e.ail by a"&ing if there #a" anything ne# on the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent") igeon replie! that they nee!e! to .eet for -oee to !i"-u"" it) 21) On 'anuary 2>, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& !i"-u""e! igeon proi!ing an a!!itional bene3t) 8hile reiterating hi" reue"t" for help in getting /E+ATI@E 1 a ob #ith the fe!eral goern.ent, 'u!ge *i-hale& al"o a!i"e! igeon that /E+ATI@E 24" na.e ha! -o.e up a" a potential -an!i!ate for a lo-al goern.ent po"ition) 8ith re"pe-t to the fe!eral goern.ent po"ition, igeon re"pon!e! re"pon!e! that he #oul! get on it) A" to the lo-al goern.ent po"ition, he tol! 'u!ge *i-hale& that they "houl! tal& before /E+ATI@E 2J !oe" anything) In an e.ail he "ent the ne6t !ay, 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! an up!ate to igeon on the re-eier appoint.ent that he ha! .a!e at igeon4" reue"t) 22) On February 1, 201:, igeon oere! 'u!ge *i-hale& t#o ti-&et" to bo6 "eat" for a Bualo $abre" ho-&ey ga.e, #hi-h 'u!ge *i-hale& a--epte!) uring thi" ti.e perio!, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon e6-hange! e.ail" -on-erning -a"e" an! .atter" pen!ing before 'u!ge *i-hale& an! bene3t" that igeon #a" proi!ing to 'u!ge *i-hale& an! /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+ATI@E 2) On *ar-h 21, 201:, igeon oere! t#o
ti-&et" to bo6 "eat" to 'u!ge *i-hale& for another Bualo $abre" ga.e, #hi-h 'u!ge *i-hale& a--epte!) 2:) Oer the -our"e of the ne6t "eeral .onth", 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon !i"-u""e! igeon4" a""i"tan-e regar!ing /E+ATI@E 14" an! /E+ATI@E 24" e.ploy.ent) On O-tober 1:, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a!i"e! igeon that /E+ATI@E /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be thrille! to get an appoint.ent to "o.e eJ!u-ational thing or anotherMMM +ater that !ay igeon re"pon!e!, re"pon!e!, $nea& .e a re"u.e an! I4ll loo& for a boar!) In Noe.ber 201:, igeon a"&e! 'u!ge *i-hale& if /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be intere"te! in atten!ing a politi-al fun!rai"er) 'u!ge *i-hale& replie! that he he #a" "ure that /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be ti-&le! to go) A--or!ing to "ub"euent e.ail", /E+ATI@E 2 !i! atten! the eent at no -o"t to 'u!ge *i-hale& or /E+ATI@E 2) ublire-or!" "ho#e! that the eent -o"t L1,000 per per"on) 2D) In 201D, 'u!ge *i-hale& -ontinue! to "oli-it igeon4" help #ith e.ploy.ent for /E+ATI@E 1 an! igeon -ontinue! to agree to proi!e that a""i"tan-e) In a!!ition, 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! igeon #ith infor.ation about, an! hi" ie#" -on-erning, la#yer" #ho appeare! on -a"e" pen!ing in hi" -ourt in #hi-h igeon ha! an intere"t) uring that "a.e ti.e, 'u!ge *i-hale& "oli-ite! igeon4" help #ith /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+ATI@E 2) 25) uring .any of the e.ail e6-hange", 'u!ge *i-hale&4" *i-hale&4 " !i"-u""ion of bene3t" fro. igeon #ere u6tapo"e! #ith infor.ation he proi!e! regar!ing pen!ing -a"e" an! .atter") For e6a.ple, on February 20, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon e6-hange! e6-hange! "eeral e.ail") 'u!ge *i-hale& #rote igeon $tee))) Anything on ob for /E+ATI@E 1JKKK )))/e-eier"hip "houl! rap up ie he get" pai! by *ar-h)))(aen4 *ar-h)))(ae n4 t hear! a peep about the Appp i)) 'ohn) In re"pon"e, igeon #rote, I4ll be in C ne6t #ee& an! I #a" going to -he-& on in "i-J) /e-eier4" 3r"t na.eJ #ill be going thru a tough ti.e)J /e-eier"hip en!ing an! probably -anne! at another obJ) ) ) 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& then "ent an e.ail .entioning both /E+ATI@E /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+A /E+ATI@E TI@E 2 an! en!ing #ith, /e-eier4" la"t na.eJ goo! .an) ) #ill get hi. .ore thing") ) $ee if he4" on li"t for Ct Ealuator" ie Con"erator"hip" Con"erator"hip" et-) ) 'ohn 2<) On 'anuary 22, 2015, one !ay after 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon to a-&no#le!ge that igeon #a" ne# -oH-oun"el on a -a"e pen!ing before hi., 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon an! tol! hi. that he ha! a"&e! /E+ATI@E 2 to "en! igeon a -opy of /E+ATI@E 24" re"u.e) 'u!ge *i-hale& opine! that he thought /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be great for any oern.ent Ta"& For-e or Co..ittee on E!u-ation) /E+ATI@E 2 for#ar!e! a re"u.e to igeon)
'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& engage! in o;-ial o;-ial -on!u-t -on!u-t relating to hi" publipubli- o;-e #hi-h #hi-h a!an-e! igeon4" intere"t", #hile "oli-iting, a--epting, an! agreeing to a--ept bene3t" fro. igeon in-lu!ing =1? igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent for a -lo"e relatie of 'u!ge *i-hale& =/E+ATI@E 1? =2? igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "ear-hing "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent an! appointe! po"ition" for a "e-on! -lo"e relatie of 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& =/E+ATI@E =/E+ATI@E 2? an! =:? =:? igeon4" a""i"tan-e #ith #ith re-o..en!ation" re-o..en!ation" for 'u!ge *i-hale& to obtain an appoint.ent to the $upre.e Court, Appellate Appellate ii"ion, Fourth 'u!i-ial epart.ent) The e.ail" "ho# that igeon proi!e! 'u!ge *i-hale& #ith ti-&et" to ho-&ey ga.e" an! a politi-al fun!rai"er) The e.ail" al"o "ho# that the t#o .en .et for brea&fa"t, lun-h an! -oee at ariou" ti.e" bet#een February 2012 an! early 2015) 5) Ba"e! on an e.ail that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent to igeon on $epte.ber D, 2012, it appear" that /E+ATI@E 1 !i! obtain a po"ition on a politi-al -a.paign #ith the a""i"tan-e of one of igeon4" -onta-t") In 201: through 2015, 'u!ge *i-hale& "ought igeon4" help in "ear-hing for e.ploy.ent an! appoint.ent" for po"ition" for /E+ATI@E 2, an! igeon proi!e! "u-h a""i"tan-e) In 2012 through 2015, 'u!ge *i-hale& al"o a"&e! for igeon4" help in re-o..en!ing hi. for an appoint.ent to the Appellate ii"ion, Fourth epart.ent, an! igeon agree! to proi!e "u-h a""i"tan-e) <) At the "a.e ti.e that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ought bene3t" fro. igeon, igeon ha! an intere"t in la#"uit" pen!ing before 'u!ge *i-hale&) uring thi" perio!, 'u!ge *i-hale& &ept igeon appri"e! of the "tatu" of the la#"uit", engage! in e6 parte -o..uni-ation" -o..uni-ation" #ith igeon about the., "ought igeon4" a!i-e an! input on ariou" i""ue" that aro"e #hen the -a"e" -a.e up on hi" -alen!ar, proi!e! igeon #ith a!i-e a" to ho# the -a"e" "houl! be han!le!, an! .a!e faorable ruling" in -ertain "ituation" to prote-t igeon4", hi" -lient"4 an! hi" bu"ine"" a""o-iate"4 intere"t") intere"t") In a!!ition, 'u!ge *i-hale& "ele-te! an attorney of igeon4" -hoo"ing -hoo"ing to han!le a re-eier"h re-eier"hip) ip) A--or!ing to an e.ail, 'u!ge *i-hale& a""igne! igeon to #or& on a fore-lo"ure) E.ail" #ritten bet#een igeon an! 'u!ge *i-hale& illu"trate the o;-ial -on!u-t that 'u!ge *i-hale& engage! in an! the bene3t" that igeon proi!e! to hi. an! hi" fa.ily .e.ber") 9) The Ne# %or& $tate /ule" of the Chief A!.ini"trator of the Court" oerning 'u!i-ial Con!u-t, Con!u-t, -o!i3e! in in 22 N%C// N%C// art art 100, "tate in in releant part part $e-tion 100): A u!ge "hall perfor. the !utie" of u!i-ial o;-e i.partially an! !iligently) =A? 'u!i-ial !utie" in general) The u!i-ial !utie" of a u!ge ta&e pre-e!en-e pre-e!en-e oer all the u!ge4" other a-tiitie") The u!ge4" u!i-ial !utie" in-lu!e all the !utie" of the u!ge4" o;-e pre"-ribe! pre"-ribe! by la#) la#) In the perfor.an-e perfor.an-e of the"e the"e !utie", the the follo#ing "tan!ar!" apply) ) ) =<? A u!ge "hall a--or! to eery per"on #ho ha" a legal intere"t in a pro-ee!ing, or that per"on4" la#yer, the right to be hear! a--or!ing to la#) A u!ge "hall not initiate, per.it, or -on"i!er e6 parte -o..uni-ation", or -on"i!er other -o..uni-ation" -o..uni-ation" .a!e to the u!ge out"i!e the pre"en-e of the partie" or their la#yer" -on-erning a pen!ing or i.pen!ing pro-ee!ing))) /ule :)5=a?=1? of the Ne# %or& $tate /ule" of rofe""ional Con!u-t, proi!e" that
A la#yer "hall not =1? "ee& to or -au"e another per"on to in7uen-e a u!ge)))of a tribunal by .ean" prohibite! by la# or gie or len! anything of alue to "u-h u!ge)))#hen the re-ipient re-ipient i" prohibite! prohibite! fro. fro. a--epting the gift or loan))) loan))) =2? in an an a!er"arial pro-ee!ing pro-ee!ing -o..uni-ate or -au"e another per"on to !o "o on the la#yer4" behalf, a" to the .erit" of the .atter #ith a u!ge) $ECIFIC A++EATION$ >) 'u!ge *i-hale& "oli-ite! igeon for a""i"tan-e in getting /E+ATI@E 1 a ob) Follo#ing 'u!ge *i-hale&4" "oli-itation, igeon agree! to proi!e the a""i"tan-e an! igeon rea-he! rea-he! out ia e.ail" an! te6t .e""age" to hi" ariou" -onta-t" to "ee& e.ploy.ent for /E+ATI@E 1) On the "a.e !ay that 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent igeon /E+ATI@E 14" re"u.e, he "ent igeon a -opy of an e6pe!ite! "-he!uling or!er on one of the -a"e" pen!ing before hi. an! a -opy of an or!er pertaining to a pen!ing .otion) G) On *ar-h 2, 2012, in iolation of the Co!e of 'u!i-ial Con!u-t, 'u!ge *i-hale& parti-ipate! in an e6 parte e.ail e6-hange #ith igeon regar!ing a la#"uit pen!ing before hi.) 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! igeon #ith nonHpubli- !etail" -on-erning a .otion 3le! by a nonHparty to the litigation "ee&ing a prote-tie or!er fro. a "ubpoena "ere! by one of the partie") After e6plaining ea-h "i!e4" po"ition to igeon, 'u!ge *i-hale& #rote that, I a. un"ure #hat relief i" "ought, an! #ant to li"ten to the argu.ent") +e"" than t#o hour" later, igeon "ent an e.ail .a&ing an e6 parte argu.ent) igeon "tate! that Thi" nonHpartyJ nonHpar tyJ i" a ba! a-tor) a-tor) ) ) )8e )8e #oul! li&e to "ee all -o..uni-ation" #ith &ey e6e-utie" of the -o.panyJ -lient" an! -o.petitor")))) -o.petitor")))) ) 10) In a #ritten !e-i"ion i""ue! appro6i.ately appro6i.ately t#o #ee&" later, 'u!ge *i-hale& !enie! the .otion for a prote-tie or!er, u"t a" igeon ha! reue"te!) 'u!ge *i-hale& "ent igeon an e.ail #ith a -opy of the !e-i"ion atta-he! an! than&e! igeon for hi" eort" on behalf of /E+ATI@E 1) igeon re"pon!e! by e.ail a "hort ti.e later #ith an oer of a!!itional a""i"tan-e to /E+ATI@E 1) 11) On April :0, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon to up!ate hi. on /E+ATI@E 14" e.ploy.ent "tatu") The "a.e !ay, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon another -opy of /E+ATI@E 14" re"u.e an! tol! igeon he "houl! get on the /e-eier +i"t) igeon re"pon!e!, re"pon!e!, I hae "o.e partner" #ho -oul! be appointe! that -oul! help .e) 12) In *ay 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon -ontinue! to e.ail ea-h other about /E+ATI@E 14" ob pro"pe-t" #ith a national politi-al -a.paign) On *ay 1, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& e.aile! igeon, igeon, If in the .eanti.e))you .eanti.e))you #i"h #i"h for .e to -on"i!er -on"i!er /e-eier"hip" for other" in your o;-e))$ure)) if it help" you))for#ar! .e "o.e na.e"))'ohn) 1:) On *ay 10, 2012, igeon e.aile! 'u!ge *i-hale& the na.e of a lo-al lo-al attorney #ho igeon "ai! i" .y guy) Throughout the re"t of the .onth of *ay 2012, igeon -ontinue! to a""ure 'u!ge *i-hale& that he #a" a""i"ting /E+ATI@E 1 an! that one of hi" -onta-t" #oul! hae a po"ition for /E+ATI@E 1 on a national politi-al -a.paign) Court re-or!" "ho# that on *ay 2:, 2012, an or!er "igne! by 'u!ge *i-hale& #a" 3le! in the Erie County Cler&4" O;-e appointing the la#yer #ho. igeon ha! "ugge"te! to a-t a" a re-eier) 1D) 'u!ge *i-hale& appointe! that la#yer a" a re-eier, een though the la#yer #a" not on the A!.ini"tratie Chief 'u!ge4" li"t of uali3e! re-eier") On *ay 19, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon, telling hi., 8e pu"he! it through any#ay))hae to gie the. a "pe- rea"on et-))#ill 3gure it out))'ohn
15) A--or!ing to the Ne# %or& Co!e, /ule" /ule" an! /egulation" =N%C//?, #hen a u!ge .a&e" .a&e" a re-eier"hip re-eier"hip appoint.ent appoint.ent of an in!ii!ual #ho #ho i" not on the the re-eier"hip li"t, i)e), he ha" not ta&en the reui"ite -our"e to be eligible to obtain "u-h an appoint.ent, the u!ge .u"t 3ll out a For. >92)5, a $tate.ent of /ea"on" for a art :< Appoint.ent) That For. i" then 3le! #ith OCA) 1<) On 'une 29, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& "igne! For. For. >92)5, >92)5, -lai.ing that he reuire! reuire! the e6perti"e of the la#yer #ho. he ha! appointe! at igeon4" "ugge"tion) Ba"e! on the e.ail" e6-hange! bet#een 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon, thi" #a" fal"e be-au"e 'u!ge *i-hale& !i! not &no# the la#yer, #a" not a#are of any e6perti"e the la#yer ha!, an! he &ne# that the la#yer ha! neer before been appointe! a" a re-eier) The e.ail e6-hange" "ho# that 'u!ge *i-hale& appointe! the attorney to the re-eier"hip "olely be-au"e igeon re-o..en!e! the attorney) 19) On e-e.ber 10, 2012, 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon -on-erning igeon4" a""i"tan-e in "e-uring an appoint.ent to the Ne# %or& $tate $upre.e Court Appellate ii"ion, Fourth epart.ent) igeon agree! to proi!e that a""i"tan-e) 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& #rote, thin& thin& there i" a "eat open in App i))I i))I applie!)))Nor.ally applie!)))Nor.ally I #oul!n4t .ention it to you) you) ) ) #on!er if you -oul! help) help) That "a.e !ay, igeon igeon replie!, I #ill #ill "tart tal&ing u up) ) ) ) On 'anuary >, 201:, *i-hale& *i-hale& #rote to igeon, igeon, Un- $tee))) (o#4! (o#4! you !o #ith the oKKKK) ) ) ) +ater that !ay, igeon igeon re"pon!e!, Bun-h happening))) In Albany no#))) o #ent #ell))) Tal&e! u up) ) ) ) +et4" hae -oee "oon) 1>) A--or!ing to the Ne# %or& $tate 'u!i-iary +a# $e-tion 221Ha, the "alary of an a""o-iate u!ge of the Appellate ii"ion at that ti.e #a" L1DD,000) 1G) For the ne6t t#o an! a half year", 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon -ontinue! to !i"-u"" an Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent) In "o.e of the e.ail" to igeon regar!ing regar!ing the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent, 'u!ge *i-hale& u6tapo"e! igeon4" -ontinue! help #ith a !i"-u""ion of .atter" pen!ing before hi. in #hi-h igeon ha! an intere"t) 20) On O-tober 1, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a"&e! for an up!ate on the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent appoint.ent at the en! of an e.ail -on-erning -on-erning the po""ibility of a "ettle.ent in one of the igeonH-onne-te! la#"uit" pen!ing before before hi.) On O-tober D, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a!i"e! igeon that he #a" -on"i!ering the appoint.ent of a ran! *a"ter on a -a"e to han!le !i"-oery i""ue" an! "ettle.ent) (e en!e! the e.ail by a"&ing if there #a" anything ne# on the Appellate ii"ion appoint.ent") igeon replie! that they nee!e! to .eet for -oee to !i"-u"" it) 21) On 'anuary 2>, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& !i"-u""e! igeon proi!ing an a!!itional bene3t) 8hile reiterating hi" reue"t" for help in getting /E+ATI@E 1 a ob #ith the fe!eral goern.ent, 'u!ge *i-hale& al"o a!i"e! igeon that /E+ATI@E 24" na.e ha! -o.e up a" a potential -an!i!ate for a lo-al goern.ent po"ition) 8ith re"pe-t to the fe!eral goern.ent po"ition, igeon re"pon!e! re"pon!e! that he #oul! get on it) A" to the lo-al goern.ent po"ition, he tol! 'u!ge *i-hale& that they "houl! tal& before /E+ATI@E 2J !oe" anything) In an e.ail he "ent the ne6t !ay, 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! an up!ate to igeon on the re-eier appoint.ent that he ha! .a!e at igeon4" reue"t) 22) On February 1, 201:, igeon oere! 'u!ge *i-hale& t#o ti-&et" to bo6 "eat" for a Bualo $abre" ho-&ey ga.e, #hi-h 'u!ge *i-hale& a--epte!) uring thi" ti.e perio!, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon e6-hange! e.ail" -on-erning -a"e" an! .atter" pen!ing before 'u!ge *i-hale& an! bene3t" that igeon #a" proi!ing to 'u!ge *i-hale& an! /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+ATI@E 2) On *ar-h 21, 201:, igeon oere! t#o
ti-&et" to bo6 "eat" to 'u!ge *i-hale& for another Bualo $abre" ga.e, #hi-h 'u!ge *i-hale& a--epte!) 2:) Oer the -our"e of the ne6t "eeral .onth", 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon !i"-u""e! igeon4" a""i"tan-e regar!ing /E+ATI@E 14" an! /E+ATI@E 24" e.ploy.ent) On O-tober 1:, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& a!i"e! igeon that /E+ATI@E /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be thrille! to get an appoint.ent to "o.e eJ!u-ational thing or anotherMMM +ater that !ay igeon re"pon!e!, re"pon!e!, $nea& .e a re"u.e an! I4ll loo& for a boar!) In Noe.ber 201:, igeon a"&e! 'u!ge *i-hale& if /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be intere"te! in atten!ing a politi-al fun!rai"er) 'u!ge *i-hale& replie! that he he #a" "ure that /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be ti-&le! to go) A--or!ing to "ub"euent e.ail", /E+ATI@E 2 !i! atten! the eent at no -o"t to 'u!ge *i-hale& or /E+ATI@E 2) ublire-or!" "ho#e! that the eent -o"t L1,000 per per"on) 2D) In 201D, 'u!ge *i-hale& -ontinue! to "oli-it igeon4" help #ith e.ploy.ent for /E+ATI@E 1 an! igeon -ontinue! to agree to proi!e that a""i"tan-e) In a!!ition, 'u!ge *i-hale& proi!e! igeon #ith infor.ation about, an! hi" ie#" -on-erning, la#yer" #ho appeare! on -a"e" pen!ing in hi" -ourt in #hi-h igeon ha! an intere"t) uring that "a.e ti.e, 'u!ge *i-hale& "oli-ite! igeon4" help #ith /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+ATI@E 2) 25) uring .any of the e.ail e6-hange", 'u!ge *i-hale&4" *i-hale&4 " !i"-u""ion of bene3t" fro. igeon #ere u6tapo"e! #ith infor.ation he proi!e! regar!ing pen!ing -a"e" an! .atter") For e6a.ple, on February 20, 201:, 'u!ge *i-hale& an! igeon e6-hange! e6-hange! "eeral e.ail") 'u!ge *i-hale& #rote igeon $tee))) Anything on ob for /E+ATI@E 1JKKK )))/e-eier"hip "houl! rap up ie he get" pai! by *ar-h)))(aen4 *ar-h)))(ae n4 t hear! a peep about the Appp i)) 'ohn) In re"pon"e, igeon #rote, I4ll be in C ne6t #ee& an! I #a" going to -he-& on in "i-J) /e-eier4" 3r"t na.eJ #ill be going thru a tough ti.e)J /e-eier"hip en!ing an! probably -anne! at another obJ) ) ) 'u!ge *i-hale& *i-hale& then "ent an e.ail .entioning both /E+ATI@E /E+ATI@E 1 an! /E+A /E+ATI@E TI@E 2 an! en!ing #ith, /e-eier4" la"t na.eJ goo! .an) ) #ill get hi. .ore thing") ) $ee if he4" on li"t for Ct Ealuator" ie Con"erator"hip" Con"erator"hip" et-) ) 'ohn 2<) On 'anuary 22, 2015, one !ay after 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon to a-&no#le!ge that igeon #a" ne# -oH-oun"el on a -a"e pen!ing before hi., 'u!ge *i-hale& e.aile! igeon an! tol! hi. that he ha! a"&e! /E+ATI@E 2 to "en! igeon a -opy of /E+ATI@E 24" re"u.e) 'u!ge *i-hale& opine! that he thought /E+ATI@E 2 #oul! be great for any oern.ent Ta"& For-e or Co..ittee on E!u-ation) /E+ATI@E 2 for#ar!e! a re"u.e to igeon)
