🔲 NJ judge got drunk at work party, lewd with staffers 🔲 Private law practice had repeated reference to judgeship 🔲 Judge is ordered removed from office, for good ELIZABETH — A municipal judge whose pattern of inappropriate behavior included getting drunk and raunchy at a work holiday party has been removed permanently from his office. A state Supreme Court order was issued in September, regarding Richard Obuch, of Elizabeth , following a report by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct. Obuch had been suspended without pay as a municipal judge since July 8, days after a formal complaint was filed that outlined three distinct counts of improper conduct.
RELATED: NJ judge accused of embracing porn stars and drunk party fouls Obuch downed shots, got lewd with women at work party Obuch attended the Union County Municipal Court Judges Association annual holiday party at a restaurant in Elizabeth on Dec. 14. The event — open to judges and their court staff — featured food and an open bar.
Obuch allegedly was drunk within the first 45 minutes of his three-hour attendance, downing two old fashioneds, sangria, and five or more shots of tequila and vodka. The judge then groped three women who worked for Rahway Municipal Court, making inappropriate or sexually suggestive remarks to them, the accusations say. Some of the inappropriate behavior included kissing the women without their consent — as captured on camera, when Obuch crashed a photo booth session with them.