Upstate NY town judge facing multiple misconduct charges resigns

Pittsfield, N.Y. – A town judge in Otsego County resigned after being notified he was being investigated for numerous reports of misconduct.
In early August, Gary L. Carson, 71, was notified that the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct was investigating him, according to a news release Monday from the commission. On Aug. 14, Carson, a Pittsfield town judge, submitted his resignation, the commission said.
Multiple allegations against Carson were submitted to the commission:
Carson, who is not an attorney, has been a Pittsfield town judge since 2023. His term was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.
“Given the wide range of misconduct alleged against Judge Carson, and now the suggestion that poor health is impeding the performance of his judicial duties,” Commission Administrator Robert Tembeckjian said, “it is in the best interests of the public and the court system that he step down.”
Carson also agreed never to seek another judicial office.
More details were not available because the commission and Carson reached a stipulation to release limited information about the allegations against him as a result of his resignation.
Since 2003, the commission has accepted 141 permanent resignation stipulations, according to the release.
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