Judge Nowakowski resigns while under investigation for sexual harassment

ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) – Judge Joesph Nowakowski, a Bethany Town Court judge, has resigned amid a sexual harassment investigation.

According to a press release from the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the commission began investigating a complaint in February 2024 that alleged Nowakowski had begun sending inappropriate text messages to a court clerk.

When the court clerk asked Nowakowski to stop, he allegedly retaliated by demanding that she terminate her employment relationship with the court.

Nowakowski resigned on June 1 and agreed never to seek or accept a judgeship again in the future. The commission accepted this.

“There is no place for sexual harassment in the courts, especially in the judiciary, which must set and model the highest standards of conduct for all to follow. The Commission takes such matters seriously and takes the necessary and required action,” Commission Chairman Robert Tembeckjian said in a statement.

Judge Nowakowski has been a judge of the Bethany Town Court since 2022. His current term would end on December 31, 2025.

The Commission’s regulation and decision are available on the Commission’s website.