Juris Imprudence

Sasso ripped the Bar ~ apart

Ah! Where would New Jersey be without all its corruption scandals?

The latest involves municipal court judge Richard Sasso, aged 53, who resigned from the bench last January.

Maybe he thought he was going to get away with his alleged misconduct if he slunk away quietly, but prosecutors in the Garden State think Sasso needs more than just a spanking.

Attorneys have gone before the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct. Depending on the Committee's decision, it could request the state supreme court to issue a public reprimand, bar Sasso from ever holding judicial office, or something in between.

Disciplinary Counsel, Candance Moody, cites two occasions of Judge Sasso's impairment on the bench while under the influence of alcohol and painkillers.

He also created a ruckus at a go-go bar called "Torpedo."

Sasso slammed his hands down on the bar, Moody said. Manager Philip Augustin testified that the judge threatened to cause the bar problems. Sasso was forcibly removed from the bar, ripping off the ledge as he fell from a bar stool.

Nothing worse than a sloppy drunk. Member of the bar, indeed!