A New Jersey judge has been suspended without pay for allegedly grabbing a woman’s breast without her consent inside his private law offices, according to reports.
North Bergen Municipal Court Judge Nino Falcone, 78, was arrested early Thursday and charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, according to NJ.com, which cited Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
Falcone was accused of grabbing the woman’s breast on Aug. 29 inside his office at 7807 Bergenline Ave. in North Bergen, according to the report.
He was released on his own recognizance and suspended indefinitely without pay.
“The alleged incident involving Judge Falcone did not occur on township property or involve another township employee or anyone connected with North Bergen Municipal Court,” township spokesman Phil Swibinski told northjersey.com.
The alleged victim is an office manager at a doctor’s office for which Falcone works as an attorney, the news outlet reported.
The woman, who was in the office to discuss business as Falcone represents her on personal matters, tried to leave before he pulled her in for a hug and rubbed her back, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
She pushed Falcone away but he grabbed her breast and told her to let him “play” with her and to let him touch her, according to court documents.
Falcone then took out his wallet and offered to give her birthday money, the affidavit said.
The woman told the doctor and receptionist what happened, but did not initially want to report the incident to police because Falcone is a judge, according to the court documents.
The doctor said the woman was “crying” and “shaking.”
On the following day, Falcone called the doctor’s office twice asking for the woman, according to the affidavit.
Falcone later admitted to cops that he touched the woman “inappropriately” and apologized to her, according to the affidavit.
Falcone, who was admitted to the state bar in 1984, has previously been disciplined twice by the state.
In September 2009, he was censured after misappropriating a client’s $12,000 deposit that was to be used for a home, according to court records cited by northjersey.com.
In October 2001, he was suspended for three months for charges including failing to safeguard funds and engaging in a conflict of interest.
The judge could not be reached for comment by either news outlet.