Ex-Columbia Judge Called Unfit To Serve

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct last week released a 17-page decision pertaining to former Town of Columbia Justice John Skinner.

Skinner resigned in December with three years left on his term.

Gene Doremus was appointed to fill the position this year and the remaining two years will be on the November ballot.

Town officials have been aware Skinner was under review for his conduct as a justice, including irregularities with fines and payments not being processed correctly.

The ruling was formalized Feb. 17 and filed with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Skinner was formally served with a complaint in August 2025, according to the ruling on a number of issues, including: 1.

In November 2023 through March 2024 he engaged in unauthorized communication with defendants on a case in the Town Court.

The ruling states he then dismissed the charges without notice or consent of the prosecution, which goes against criminal procedure law.

Skinner also summoned the complaining witness to appear before him after dismissing the case, without legal authority to do so.

He also failed to record the proceedings, another violation of court rules. 2. In December 2023 to January 2024, in connection with three traffic cases, Skinner engaged in improper communications and dismissed two of the cases without notifying the prosecution as required. 3.

The ruling states that while Skinner had been a judge since 2009, which including a 2018 censure by the same Judicial Commission for failing to follow rules and demonstrate professional competence, his testimony to the Commission in April 2025 demonstrated ‘a lack of understanding of basic legal principles and the proper role of a judge.’

Skinner did not file an answer to those charges.

In December the Commission ruled that Skinner had engaged in judicial misconduct and should be removed from