Judge, 92, Works Without a Paycheck, Doesn’t Know What Else He Would Do
Judge Allen Beldock still reports to the Queens courthouse four days a week, though he no longer earns a paycheck.
Beldock, 92, works two days a week setting schedules for lawsuits and two days a week overseeing jury selection, the New York Times reports. He retired more than 20 years ago and then worked as a judicial hearing officer earning $300 a day. When budget cuts eliminated pay for such officers about a year ago, Beldock wasn’t happy, so he returned to work with no pay.
Beldock told the newspaper he doesn’t read books, he no longer travels and he’s not a big fan of museums. “If I were not a judge, I wouldn’t be doing anything,” he said. “What would I be doing if I were not a judge? What am I even qualified to do? I’ve been a judge for 44 years. My father was a butcher. I’m not trained to be a butcher.”
He also likes the prestige of work. “I’m called ‘Judge’ wherever I go,” he told the Times.
