BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Mark Grisanti, the New York State Supreme Justice who was censured following a confrontation involving Buffalo police, does not appear to be in consideration for continued service.
A list of potential State Supreme Court appointees to be discussed Wednesday does not include Grisanti, meaning he is set to be replaced.
Grisanti, a former State Senator representing New York’s 60th District, was censured earlier this year in a 6-4 vote by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The decision came after a 2020 “verbal and physical altercation with a neighbor and his wife over a parking spot,” according to the commission.
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“Before Buffalo police officers arrived, both Judge Grisanti and his wife confronted and yelled profanities at the neighbors, who responded in kind. During their confrontation, the parties
came into rough physical contact with one another,” the commission said.
They went on to detail the events that took place after the arrival of two Buffalo police officers, who were wearing body cameras at the time.
“After one officer grabbed Mrs. Grisanti and brought her to the ground attempting to handcuff her, Judge Grisanti shoved him and yelled, ‘You arrest my f—— wife … you’re going to be sorry,’ and ‘My son … and my daughter are … both police officers,'” according to the commission.
They said that as the judge was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle, he “continued to drop the names of high-ranking police officials and the Mayor of Buffalo.”
Grisanti, who was appointed a State Supreme Court Justice in 2015, was also censured for matters involving an attorney who purchased his law practice following his appointment to the State Supreme Court.
“Judge Grisanti took judicial action in eight cases involving Mr. Lazroe, either during the time he was receiving the installment payments, or in the two-year period following the last payment,” the commission said.
When News 4 spoke with Grisanti, he appeared to be unaware that he was not being considered for an appointment again.
Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.