Lifetime Bench Ban for Ex-N.J. Judge; Go-Go Bar Ruckus One Reason Why

A former New Jersey municipal judge who admittedly had some problems himself abused his authority by imposing harsh sanctions on others, the state supreme court held yesterday. For this and other reasons, it permanently banned attorney Richard Sasso, who is now a solo practitioner in Warren, N.J., from holding judicial office.

Sasso resigned his judgeships in Warren, Bound Brook, Bridgewater and Watchung over a year ago, citing health problems, as a supreme court Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct probe was pending. Adopting the ACJC's findings, the supreme court found that Sasso had mistreated litigants and lawyers, presided over cases while under the influence (Sasso admittedly mixed Vicodin and alcohol on two occasions) and acted unprofessionally in public, according to the New Jersey Law Journal.

Sasso reportedly raised a ruckus at Torpedo's Go-Go Bar in Bound Brook, N.J. in 2007, after a bartender asked the then-municipal judge to produce his driver's license in order to run a tab.

"It's a shame that in New Jersey no one recognizes the medical problems a person can have during one's lifetime," Sasso, who is now a solo practitioner in Warren, N.J., tells the legal publication. "When someone who gives a decade of good service and gets into a problem, it's clear they're not going to help you out. It seems they couldn't care less."

Sasso testified at a disciplinary tribunal hearing that he had painful back and knee injuries because of an auto accident, for which he took Vicodin, according to an earlier New Jersey Law Journal article. In addition, he was also medicated for diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Go-Go Bar Ruckus Led to Judge’s Resignation, Supervisor Testifies"

ABAJournal.com: "N.J. Judge Says He Isn’t Resigning Due to Ethics Complaint, Lawsuit"