Add Category
Former New York State judge Delmar House had faced up to seven years' jail before striking a plea deal for reducing a fine in return for a sexual favour. Picture: Fox News
A FORMER judge has pleaded guilty to abusing his position to reduce a fine in exchange for sexual favours.
New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement that 49-year-old Delmar House, the former Village Justice for the Village of West Carthage Court in Jefferson County, reduced a fine for a defendant who appeared before him in exchange for sexual favours.
Additionally, the paid a portion of the defendant’s fines in return for additional sexual favours.
In a plea deal, House pleaded guilty to one felony count of bribe receiving and one count of receiving a reward for official misconduct in Jefferson County Court.
He faces a $5000 fine and up to six months in prison with an additional five years of probation when sentenced in May. He had faced up to seven years in jail before agreeing to the plea deal.
“This was an abhorrent abuse of office,” said Mr Schneiderman.
“We will keep working to root out and prosecute public corruption in all of its forms. Any conduct that compromises the integrity of public office will not be tolerated.”
Former Jefferson County judge Delmar House has pleaded guilty to using his position to reduce a fine in exchange for sexual favors. Picture: New York State Attorney GeneralSource:Supplied
House had been administering justice at West Carthage Court for eight years before resigning in March 2016 for what he claimed were health and personal reasons, WWNY TV7 reported.
The offence took place in April 2015 when House agreed to and reduced a fine for a defendant appearing before him on vehicle and traffic offences in exchange for sexual favour from the defendant.
“In addition, according to documents filed in court and statements made in court today, House paid a portion of that defendant’s fines in exchange for more sexual favours,” said Mr Schneiderman.
House also agreed to never serve in a judicial office. A news release from New York State’s Commission of Judicial Conduct on March 24 last year stated that House, after consuming alcoholic drinks at a local bar, “engaged in public conduct both inside and outside the bar with another patron that was inconsistent with his ethical obligations to act at all times in a manner that protects the integrity of the judiciary and the dignity of his judicial office.”