NJ Supreme Court Justice Now Admits Ethics Violation
June 1, 2007. New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto conceded that he violated judicial ethics rules by creating an appearance of impropriety in contacting school, police and court authorities in a dispute involving his son, but denied any deliberate misconduct. In a letter to the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, he stated that in order to "prevent any further harm to the Court's reputation" he would waive a formal hearing and stipulate that the charges against him be decided on the basis of the investigatory record and his statement in lieu of formal testimony. "I deeply regret that my actions in defense of my son have raised questions about my integrity, and have created the potential to undermine the public's trust and confidence in the Court," Rivera-Soto remarked, adding he was "profoundly sorry" for his actions and their effect. But Rivera-Soto did not recede his position asserted in his May 18 answer that he sought