Silver Lake Daily Newsletter.com

State Supreme Court Justice resigning administrative judge position over Halloween photo

JUDGE DORAN

The Hon. Craig J. Doran will no longer execute his responsibilities as administrative judge for New York’s Seventh Judicial District, he announced in a statement Friday morning.

“It has come to my attention that a photograph taken of me at a Halloween party in 1988 in which I appear as a well-known public figure of color has been circulated,” said Doran in the statement. “I am deeply sorry for my decision to appear in this manner. I did not comprehend at the time the hurtful nature of my actions. I know now that an act of this nature is considered to be racist. I can assure you that this event in 1988 in no way reflects my beliefs and principles.”

The Livingston County News has not reviewed the photograph. New York State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. In his statement, Doran asked for forgiveness from “those who have been hurt by this, those I may have embarrassed, and from the people who have taken time in their lives to educate me about the hurt my actions caused.” Doran cited DiFiore’s zero tolerance policy on matters of racial bias and insensitivity in announcing his decision to no longer executive his administrative judge duties, though he said he will continue to serve as a state Supreme Court justice.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue the work I have devoted my 30-year career to, bringing justice to all, particularly those who have been and are the victims of ignorance, bias, racism, or injustice,” Doran said. “I pledge to make the transition to a new administrative judge seamless.” In his capacity as administrative judge for the Seventh Judicial District, Doran was responsible for overseeing court operations in the trial courts in Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties.

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