A judge from Nassau County faced scrutiny from the state education board last year after he publicly reprimanded a school board for not recognizing him as the defense attorney for his son’s high school class.
Long Beach Municipal Court Judge Corey E. Klein was criticized by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which announced the condemnation on Monday, noting that Klein had consented to this disciplinary action.
According to the commission, Klein is expected to attend the Public Education Board meeting in April 2024, where he will call for his son to receive recognition for being among the top graduates.
When attorney Christopher Powers attempted to curtail Klein’s comments, the judge reportedly retorted, urging the attorney not to blame him for the situation.
Board members attempted to silence Klein’s ongoing outbursts and even turned off his microphone, but he continued to raise his voice, appearing frustrated over being labeled as merely a “consultant.”
The commission shared that Klein insisted on being referred to by his title, stating, “If you’re trying to become a lawyer, please refer to me in my title, it’s fine. Thank you,” once his microphone was restored.
As board members tried to clarify that the public meeting, which was being streamed online, was not an appropriate venue for contesting decisions regarding his son’s valedictorian status, Klein remained obstinate. “I’m going to stay here now, and I’m going to continue talking,” he maintained.
In a bid to regain control, Powers attempted to remind him, “Your honor. We’re not in court at this point,” but Klein spoke over him.
He expressed his frustration, claiming that his child’s educational future was at stake, and suggested that the board was attempting to undermine him.
In addition to this incident, Klein also faced allegations of helping acquaintances evade over $500 in unpaid parking fines. After a friend’s vehicle was booted due to the outstanding payments, he reportedly contacted multiple police stations to have the boot removed. Officers believed they were acting within the judicial authority and ultimately, the friends paid their tickets.
“When a judge uses the authority of the court to serve personal interests, it undermines public trust in the judiciary. Acting impulsively, whether in favor of a student’s accolades or for a parking ticket violator, is highly irresponsible,” the committee stated.
Klein has served as a judge in Long Beach since 2015, and his term is set to continue until the end of 2034, as noted by the commission.
