In a ruling that shocked the state of New York, an upstate judge, Justice Robert J. Putorti, was removed from office by the state's highest court due to a racist incident that occurred during a 2015 court hearing. Putorti, who served as a judge in Whitehall Town and Village Court, had pointed a loaded handgun at a Black man during the hearing, claiming that he felt threatened by the defendant's actions. However, an independent review conducted by the New York State Court of Appeals revealed that Putorti's actions were unjustified and fueled by racial bias.

The decision by the high court affirmed the state Commission on Judicial Conduct's recommendation to remove Putorti from his position. The court emphasized that Putorti's description of the defendant as a "big black man" and his reference to racial stereotypes exploited a racist trope that portrays Black men as inherently threatening or dangerous. The court deemed this behavior as exhibiting bias or implicit bias. Furthermore, Putorti's lack of remorse and his subsequent boasting about the incident to other judges and a college journalist further contributed to his removal from office.

The court's decision also highlighted another aspect that demonstrated Putorti's unfitness for the position of a judge. While under investigation for the gun incident, Putorti participated in prohibited fundraising events to benefit the Elks Lodge, where he also held office. Although the fundraising itself would not warrant removal, the timing of the events and the fact that they took place while Putorti was under investigation showed a disregard for the Rules of Judicial Conduct, indicating an unwillingness or inability to abide by them.

The ruling has garnered strong reactions, with Robert H. Tembeckjian, the administrator for the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct, calling Putorti's behavior "indefensible and inimical to the role of a judge." Tembeckjian stated that the court's decision sends a clear message that such behavior has no place on the bench.

Putorti's lawyer, Nate Riley, did not comment on the ruling. Attempts to reach out to Putorti's lawyers at Cerio Law Offices in Syracuse were unsuccessful. Putorti's removal from office serves as a stark reminder of the importance of impartiality, fairness, and respect for all individuals within the judicial system.