Power-Mad NY Judge Helped Dem Pal, Scolded DA in Racial Rant

Westchester County judge censured for abuse of power, improper use of office

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A Westchester County judge named Nichelle Johnson was formally censured by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for a pattern of bizarre behavior and blatant abuse of her authority, including helping her Democratic Party friends avoid legal consequences and going on race-based tirades against prosecutors.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about judicial misconduct and the erosion of public trust in the impartiality of the justice system when judges abuse their power to help well-connected individuals avoid consequences. It raises questions about accountability for judges who misuse their office for personal or political gain.

The details

According to the misconduct report, Judge Johnson helped a former Mount Vernon mayor, a fellow Democrat, avoid a $750 judgment, intervened to get a neighbor's traffic ticket dismissed, and routinely assisted friends in avoiding legal consequences. She also berated an assistant district attorney, apparently accusing the lawyer of not listening to her because of her race, telling the prosecutor "You are just a black Judge sitting up here in a black court and I don't have to listen to you."

  • In 2023, Judge Johnson had an unhinged incident where she tore into an assistant district attorney.
  • In 2026, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct formally censured Judge Johnson for her misconduct.

The players

Nichelle Johnson

A judge on the Mount Vernon City Court since 2016 who was formally censured by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for abusing her authority and undermining public confidence in the justice system.

Clinton Young

A former mayor of Mount Vernon who was helped by Judge Johnson to avoid a $750 judgment.

Robert Tembeckjian

The administrator of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, who stated that "Leveraging judicial office for the benefit of friends leads to a dual system of justice – one for the well-connected, and one for everyone else."

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What they’re saying

“You are just a black Judge sitting up here in a black court and I don't have to listen to you”

— Nichelle Johnson, Judge (Court transcript)

“Leveraging judicial office for the benefit of friends leads to a dual system of justice – one for the well-connected, and one for everyone else”

— Robert Tembeckjian, Administrator, New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct

What’s next

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has formally censured Judge Nichelle Johnson for her misconduct, and she has agreed to take remedial courses on judicial behavior. It remains to be seen if there will be any further disciplinary action or consequences for her abuse of power.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of judicial accountability and the need to maintain public trust in the impartiality of the justice system. Judges who misuse their authority to help well-connected individuals avoid consequences undermine the core principles of fairness and equal treatment under the law.