Former Judge Alan Simon Photo: Journal News file
Alan Simon, a former prosecutor and Ramapo town attorney, will lose more than $120,000 in salary and benefits
“New York’s top court Thursday removed Alan Simon as judge for Spring Valley and Ramapo based on charges of misconduct and improper behavior toward court personnel and lawyers.
The Court of Appeals decison upheld six misconduct charges brought by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct in an April decision and its recommendation that the top court remove Simon from the bench.
The court found Simon’s “actions reflect a pattern of calculated misconduct that militates against [his] assertion that the misbehavior complained of will not be repeated if he is allowed to remain on the bench.”
Neither Ramapo nor Spring Valley have moved to replace Simon, though Spring Valley Mayor Demeza Delhomme has questioned if the village could afford a local court. The removal decision means Simon will lose more than $120,000 in salary and benefits. He had been paid while appealing.
The 72-year-old Simon has had a long career in government, serving as a Bronx prosecutor and public defender in Rockland County before working for more than a decade as Ramapo’s town attorney. He served a controversial stint as the town building and zoning administrator, leaving under a cloud of allegations that he overstepped his authority by signing and overriding engineering reports.”
Read the complete Journal News story here.