By Michael Morton
By law, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is not allowed to comment on any disciplinary action, but Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association, said the panel told one of his members to be ready to testify at a formal hearing in the fall.The member, Detective Leonard Devlin of Ozone Park's 106th Precinct, was investigating a robbery and came to Blackburne's courtroom June 10 to arrest Derek Sterling, who was there on a separate matter. But Blackburne allegedly ordered a court officer to escort Sterling, a convicted drug dealer, out another exit because she objected to how the detective communicated his intentions.Although Sterling was caught by officers a day later and was later cleared of the robbery, Blackburne's move angered police.”It appears as if charges have in fact been filed against her,” Palladino said. “I'm very happy at the swiftness at which the commission acted. It sends a clear message – even if you're a judge, you're not above the law, and if you act inappropriately, you will face a hearing.”After the Sterling incident, the commission began an initial inquiry to determine if Blackburne should face a formal hearing, a decision that appears to have been made. The exact charges the judge faces could not be determined because of the law preventing the commission from discussing the issue. Blackburne did not return phone calls to her home or chambers, and her lawyer, Richard Godosky, could not be reached for comment.Despite the apparent charges, Blackburne's supporters continued to defend the actions of the 66-year-old judge from St. Albans.”Our stance is very much the same – we support her, her actions,” said Kenneth Cohen, president of the Northeast Queens chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “She has been given her due process and true justice will be given.”The commission consists of members previously chosen by Gov. George Pataki, with five lawyers, four judges and two laypeople. The case could take up to a year. If found guilty, Blackburne could be issued a private warning, a mild public reprimand, a severe public reprimand or a call for removal, but she can appeal any decision. Judges have been removed 144 times in New York state since 1978, a spokesman for the commission told the TimesLedger.Blackburne, previously a judge in Queens Treatment Court in Kew Gardens for drug cases, accepted a reassignment to Civil Court in Jamaica until the investigation is completed. She has faced controversy at other times during her career. In 1992 Blackburne resigned from her post as the head of the city Housing Authority after allegedly using public funds for junkets and a lavish office redecoration. In 2002 she dismissed cop-shooting charges against a Jamaica man, ruling that he had been denied a speedy trial.The latest incident has only renewed calls from police for her dismissal.Said Palladino: “I'm hoping justice is done.”Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
