SMITHVILLE - The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has determined that Jordon R. Lilley, a Justice of the Smithville Town Court, Chenango County, should be removed from office for obstructing the Commission’s investigation of a complaint against him, and other serious misconduct.

The Commission found that Judge Lilley:

Gave ex parte legal advice to landlords about evicting tenants without any court proceedings, which unfairly resulted in the eviction of those tenants.

Illegally issued an ex parte order of protection on behalf of an alleged victim even though the case was no longer pending in his court.

Provided false testimony under oath during an interview with the Commission, denying emails and conversations with the alleged victim despite evidence of numerous contacts, misrepresenting his relationship with the alleged victim, and falsely claiming that the District Attorney’s Office had requested the order of protection.

Deleted more than 500 judicial emails after being instructed, and agreeing, to preserve them, and refused to appear for additional testimony before the Commission.

In its removal decision, the Commission found that the judge’s misconduct “renders him unfit for judicial office and warrants his removal to prevent his return to the bench.” Judge Lilley, who is not an attorney, had served as a Justice of the Smithville Town Court since 2013. The judge retired from judicial office on November 1, 2025. His term would have expired on December 31, 2028.

Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian said: “Regardless of the nature and severity of the underlying offense, obstructing a Commission investigation will result in a judge’s removal from office. The public can have no confidence in a jurist who lies under oath, refuses to return for additional testimony when duly summoned, or who deletes hundreds of pertinent emails after being told and committing to preserve them.”

Judge Lilley was served with a Formal Written Complaint dated August 27, 2025, containing four charges. He did not file an answer. By motion dated December 2, 2025, the Administrator moved for summary determination. The judge did not submit a response, other than to indicate that he had retired from judicial office. The motion was granted on January 29, 2026, determining that the factual allegations of the complaint were sustained and that the judge’s misconduct was established.

The Commission filed a determination dated February 17, 2026, in which 10 members concurred. The Commission transmitted its determination to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Judge Lilley received it on March 31, 2026, and the matter then became public. He may either accept the determination or, within 30 days of receipt, request review by the Court of Appeals. If he does not seek review, the Court of Appeals will remove him in accordance with the determination.

The release also states that since 1978, the Commission has issued 187 determinations of removal, 361 censures, and 292 admonitions. It has also accepted 163 permanent resignation stipulations since that procedure was instituted in 2003.

Judge Lilley represented himself in the proceedings. The Commission was represented by Deputy Administrator Cathleen S. Cenci, Staff Attorney Shruti Joshi, and Principal Investigator Ryan Fitzpatrick. The release lists Lilley’s background as first taking office in 2013, with his current term originally expiring December 31, 2028.

The determination and other records are available on the Commission’s website: www.cjc.ny.gov.

- Information from New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct