Censored New York State Supreme Court Justice Not Considered for Future Appointment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Mark Grisanti, the New York state supreme judge who was censured following a confrontation involving Buffalo police, does not appear to plan to continue his service.

A list of potential state Supreme Court nominees discussed Wednesday does not include Grisanti, meaning he is on the verge of being replaced.

Grisanti, a former state senator representing New York’s 60th District, was censured earlier this year by a 6-4 vote by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The decision came after a “verbal and physical altercation in 2020 with a neighbor and his wife over a parking space,” according to the commission.

“Before the Buffalo police arrived, Judge Grisanti and his wife confronted and shouted profanities at neighbors, who responded in kind. During their confrontation, the parties
came into brutal physical contact with each other,” the commission said.

They then detailed the events that occurred after the arrival of two Buffalo police officers, who were wearing body cameras at the time.

“After a police officer grabbed Ms. Grisanti and took her to the ground in an attempt to handcuff her, Judge Grisanti shoved him and yelled, “Arrest my f***ing wife…you’re going to regret this” and “My son …and my daughter is…both police officers,’” according to the commission.

They said that when the judge was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle, he “continued to name names of high-ranking police officials and the mayor of Buffalo.”

Grisanti, who was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2015, was also censured for cases involving an attorney who purchased his law firm after his appointment to the state Supreme Court.

“Judge Grisanti initiated legal proceedings in eight cases involving Mr. Lazroe, either during the period he was receiving the installments or within two years of the last payment,” the commission said.

When News 4 spoke with Grisanti, he seemed unaware that he was no longer being considered for an appointment.