OCEAN TOWNSHIP – Senator Vin Gopal released the following statement in response to an announcement that the New Jersey Supreme Court had concluded the recall to temporary judicial service of Superior Court Judge James Troiano and entered an order to file a complaint for removal from office for Judge John Russo:
“Chief Justice Rabner made the right call in taking clear and positive action toward the removal of Judge Russo for his unacceptable comments toward a survivor of sexual assault,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch).
“It was the right decision to pursue full removal from the bench, rather than a temporary suspension as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct. I am also glad to see Judge Troiano recognize that his own comments have rendered him incapable of fulfilling his judicial responsibilities and respond accordingly. Survivors of sexual assault deserve judges who will hear them, not favor their alleged attackers. I want to recognize every advocate and survivor who spoke out against these abominable comments – because of your leadership, we have made it clear that those sentiments have no place in New Jersey’s courts.”