Press Release  Commission on Judicial Conduct schedules postponed virtual hearing regarding its recommendation for discipline against Judge Paul M. Sushchyk

Boston, MA — The Commission on Judicial Conduct is very saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ralph Gants and extends its sincere condolences to his friends and family, including his friends and family in the Trial Court and the Judiciary. The enormously positive impact Chief Justice Gants had on the judiciary and on important social causes will be sorely missed.
 

Several factors resulted in the Commission’s decision to originally schedule a public hearing, pursuant to Commission Rule 11E, regarding its recommendation for discipline of Judge Paul M. Sushchyk in SJC Docket No. OE-143 (Commission Complaint No. 2019-27) on Monday, September 21, 2020, at 10 a.m.  This scheduling decision was made some time ago. However, in light of the passing of Chief Justice Gants, that hearing will now instead take place on Monday, October 5, 2020, at 10 a.m.
 

The Supreme Judicial Court appointed retired Judge Bertha Josephson as the Hearing Officer in this matter.  She presided over a formal evidentiary hearing on formal charges filed against Judge Sushchyk by the Commission from July 20 to July 22, 2020.  A copy of Judge Josephson’s August 17, 2020 “Report of the Hearing Officer to the Commission on Judicial Conduct,” consisting of her factual findings and recommendations for discipline is attached.  
 

Pursuant to the Supreme Judicial Court’s July 7, 2020 Order permitting virtual hearings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will take place with all parties and participants appearing remotely through the “Zoom” videoconference platform.  For those wishing to observe the hearing, the Meeting ID for the videoconference/webinar will be 812 1816 0756 and the password will be 784427.  
 

At this hearing, pursuant to Commission Rule 11E, certain parties have a right to be heard before the full Commission regarding its recommendation for discipline to the Supreme Judicial Court.  The public may attend this hearing through the “Zoom” videoconference/webinar platform; however, Commission Rule 11 does not provide for the general public to be heard before the Commission at this hearing.  
 

Following this hearing, the Commission will have 90 days in which to submit its Report and Recommendations regarding this matter to the Supreme Judicial Court, which will make the final determination.  
 

The Commission’s statute and Rules are available on the Commission’s website: www.mass.gov/cjc. 

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