ALBANY - The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has determined in unrelated cases that three judges - Bonnie Simpson Burke, a Justice of the Perth Town Court, Fulton County, Paul J. Herrmann, a Justice of the Saranac Lake Village Court, Franklin County, and James H. Ridgeway, a Justice of the Richland Town Court and Acting Justice of the Pulaski Village Court, Oswego County - should be censured.
 
All three determinations are dated December 15, 2009. Judge Burke has been sanctioned for driving while under the influence of alcohol and presiding over two cases involving a friend. Judge Herrmann has been sanctioned for refusing to accept a plea agreement because he wanted a disposition that would bring revenue to the Village, and for engaging in improper political activity.  And Judge Ridgeway has been sanctioned for failing to deposit, report and remit court funds in a timely manner, accumulating an approximately $20,000 deficiency over two years.
 
Press releases announcing the three determinations are attached.  The releases and determinations can also be found on the Commission's website, www.scjc.state.ny.us.