FULL COURT EISENPRESS: Rockland County Mother Accuses Family Court Judge of Abuse, Misconduct, and Retaliation
Judge on the Bench, Justice in the Trench: It's Not Judge Sherri Eisenpress' First Time
By Dick LaFontaine and Richard Luthmann
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY - Supreme Court Justice Sherri Eisenpress is facing new scrutiny based on allegations of retaliation against a Family Court litigant. Antonina Stampfl recently filed a grievance with the New York State Commission on Judicial Ethics.
Stampfl accuses Judge Eisenpress of serious judicial misconduct during and after Stampfl's divorce proceedings. She calls for immediate action to remove Judge Eisenpress, citing a history of alleged bias and misconduct in handling her case and other Family Court matters.
Additionally, Stampfl says Judge Eisenpress retaliated against her in response to the filed grievance by threatening her employment with the local Clarkstown School District.
Stampfl also references another grievance this outlet covered last October against Judge Eisenpress. Sai Malena Jimenez Fogarty, who filed the earlier grievance with the NYS Commission, asserted that Eisenpress’ actions significantly impacted the fairness of her divorce proceedings in Rockland County, which began on September 29, 2021, under docket number 035547/2021.
Explosive Grievance Complaint Targets New York Judges for Alleged Misconduct and Bias
By Dick LaFontaine and Richard Luthmann
Rockland County, NY – They say a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the Judge. A high-stakes divorce case has spiraled into just those accusations of judicial misconduct involving fraternization and political contributions by select attorneys.
Last month, NBC 4 New York’s I-Team and renowned investigative reporter Sarah Wallace picked up the story. Frank Report also covered Sai Malena Jimenez Fogarty’s grievance filed with the New York State Commission on Judicial Ethics.
Allegations of Judicial Misconduct
Antonina Stampfl filed a grievance against Family Court Judge Sherri Eisenpress, alleging judicial misconduct that compromised the integrity of her divorce proceedings. Stampfl accuses Eisenpress of using her authority to issue biased protective orders and of colluding with opposing counsel Kim Rayner and her ex-spouse. This alleged collusion led to decisions that severely limited Stampfl's parental rights and access to her children.
Stampfl also alleges Judge Eisenpress was “paid privately to determine the outcome of [her] case.”
“I respectfully request that immediate action be taken to end Judge Eisenpress' corruption and unethical, inappropriate behavior. The miscarriage of justice being administered by Judge Eisenpress must be put to an end. Judge Eisenpress is a detriment to the entire judicial system and should be immediately removed as a judge to protect the fabric of the judiciary. It's believed and brought up to my and many in the community that Judge Eisenpress and her law clerk have been paid privately to determine the outcome of my case,” the grievance states.
But for Stampfl, bribery is just the tip of the iceberg.
"The judge’s actions not only violated my family's rights but also led to emotional abuse toward my children and me," Stampfl stated in her grievance.
She detailed instances where Eisenpress allegedly signed orders based on false allegations, which significantly impacted her life and her children’s wellbeing.
“The Supervision reports also listed the emotional abuse and the alcohol abuse…while the children are in the care of custodial parent Mr. John Stampfl (Jay). In fact, a hearing was held due to Mr. John (Jay) Stampfl's drinking and driving the children intoxicated before this report, indicating that he continues to drive the children intoxicated. This did not concern Judge Eisenpress … and Kim Rayner supported Mr. Stampfl's alcohol substance abuse by making statements ‘ Judge he can have one or two beers…come on he should be able to drink when he's home with the kids’," the filed grievance says.
Stampf says her ex-husband’s drinking was much more than casual and fueled domestic violence when they were together. She says the Judge ignored the ex-husband’s prior history of drinking and domestic violence. Stampf says Judge Eisenpress’s improper legal actions disadvantaged her financial and custodial interests and put her life at risk.
“Judge Eisenpress unethically [and] purposely removed a Temporary Order of Protection against John Stampfl, that was granted and ordered in Family Court … This TOP was granted due to another Domestic Violence matter and was to be heard in Family Court. Despite Judge Eisenpress was aware of this set hearing in Family Court she biasedly and unethically removed the TOP without an evidentiary hearing … [O]pposing counsel, Kim Rayner, had requested an (ex parte) phone call to Law Clerk, Shira Krance, over the weekend to have the TOP removed against Mr. John Stampfl without my knowledge ...,” the grievance states.
During the pandemic, Antonina Stampfl faced financial hardships exacerbated by extensive legal and associated costs totaling over $500,000. These costs included $300,000 in legal fees, $50,000 for supervision, and additional expenses for lodging, food, and various therapeutic and evaluative services. Furthermore, Eisenpress significantly reduced Stempfl’s spousal maintenance and then wholly terminated it, adding to her financial strain.
Compounding these challenges, she says her husband’s lawyer, James Sexton, Esq., allegedly misappropriated $107,000 from her escrow, which was controlled by her Attorney, Scott Ugell, Esq. - a controversial former Clarkstown judge who resigned while under investigation, without her consent. Stampfl says this “theft” is part of broader alleged unethical dealings involving Judge Sherri Eisenpress and other court personnel.
Stampfl says the Court ordered immediate depletion of any received marital assets to pay for lawyers and court-appointed personnel as part of systemic unethical behavior affecting her and other families in Rockland County's Family Court System.
And to add insult to injury, Judge Eisenpress filed a “Gatekeeper Order” precluding Antonina Stampfl from petitioning the Court any further without the Judge’s prior permission. Orwellian doesn’t begin to describe Antonina Stampfl’s treatment in the Rockland County Family Court.
"Despite numerous negative articles and petitions for her removal, Eisenpress continues to serve, showing bias and retaliation in her courtroom," Stampfl claims.
These accusations are not isolated. In another related grievance, Sai Malena Jimenez Fogarty alleged a similar pattern of misconduct by Eisenpress in her own divorce case.
Historical Context of Complaints
Antonina Stampfl's allegations against Judge Sherri Eisenpress reflect a broader pattern of concerns surrounding the Judge's conduct. Stampfl's grievance is not an isolated incident; it adds to a history of complaints against Eisenpress, suggesting a trend of judicial behavior that has caught the attention of both the public and the legal community.
In October, this outlet covered Sai Malena Jimenez Fogarty’s earlier filed grievance detailing similar accusations against Eisenpress. Fogarty claimed that the Judge's actions during her divorce proceedings, under docket number 035547/2021, were biased and unfairly influenced the outcome, favoring her opponent.
"The fairness of my divorce proceedings was significantly compromised," Fogarty stated, expressing concerns over Eisenpress’s adherence to judicial ethics.
Fogarty alleges that Eisenpress’s relationship with Attorney Lisa Zeiderman of Miller Zeiderman, LLP, influenced her judicial decisions. She particularly points to a $2,500 donation made to Eisenpress during her political campaign. This donation, Fogarty argues, swayed Eisenpress to grant sole custody to Zeiderman's client without a pending motion—a move that Fogarty labels a breach of due process.
The controversy deepened when Fogarty’s grievance revealed that Eisenpress had socialized with Zeiderman and other opposing counsels at several events and vacations, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Amid these allegations, Eisenpress recused herself on May 20, 2022, handing the proceedings to Judge Zugibe. However, Fogarty contends that Zugibe has continued the pattern of questionable decisions, showing bias and retaliation and restricting her communication with the Court.
These allegations are supported by several exhibits presented by Fogarty, including invitations to fundraisers hosted by Zeiderman and documentation of the campaign contributions. The ongoing case has attracted significant media attention and public scrutiny, with a history of scrutiny following Eisenpress, linked to questionable financial practices and an FBI sting since 2011.
Fogarty's grievance noted, "The actions and decisions of Judge Eisenpress have unjustly favored the opposing party, impacting the balance and fairness expected in our legal system."
This case, alongside Stampfl's, indicates a recurring theme of alleged bias and procedural improprieties that have disadvantaged litigants.
“These claims highlight systemic issues within our judicial processes that need addressing,” Fogarty stated, emphasizing the need for scrutiny and reform.
Both women have faced significant emotional and financial hardships, which they attribute to Judge Eisenpress's judicial decisions.
Retaliation Claims
Stampfl asserts that after filing the grievance, she experienced direct retaliation.
"A few weeks after the grievance was filed, I received a threatening letter from the school district where I have worked for over twenty years, clearly instigated by the ongoing court proceedings," she reported.
She received the letter from Marc P. Biaocco, Ed.D., the Superintendent of Clarkstown School District. The letter warned her against communicating with her children’s school, referencing court-ordered protection that strictly limited her interactions.
The letter stated, "Despite the terms of the order, there have been instances where communications from you have been received by our school, violating the terms specified in the order of protection."
It continued by requesting Stampfl's cooperation to adhere to the Court's directives and warned of further actions, including potential law enforcement involvement, should she fail to comply.
This action added another layer of difficulty to Stampfl's already strained relationship with her children and their educational settings.
"I work in this district, live in the district, grew up and went to these schools, and my children live and attend the schools," Stampfl stated, highlighting her deep roots and ongoing commitment to the community.
Stampfl says the timing and tone of the superintendent’s letter suggest a connection between the court proceedings led by Judge Eisenpress and the school district's sudden enforcement action, implying a coordinated effort to isolate her further from her children and community life.
We requested comment from Lucien Chalfen and Ann Hackel from the New York State Office of Court Administration about the retaliation allegations but received no response as of press time.
Media Attention and Public Scrutiny
The allegations against Judge Eisenpress have garnered significant media attention, intensifying the scrutiny of her judicial conduct. NBC 4 New York’s I-Team, led by investigative reporter Sarah Wallace, has extensively covered Judge Eisenpress, spotlighting the grievance filed by Sai Malena Jimenez Fogarty, first published by this outlet. Sarah Wallace’s reports focus on claims of favoritism and procedural improprieties in Eisenpress’s handling of family court cases, raising serious questions about her fairness and the ethical standards upheld in the judiciary.
The Frank Report, known for its investigative journalism, also delved into Fogarty's grievance, shedding light on the patterns of behavior that may undermine public trust in the legal system.
This coverage has amplified public discourse on the need for greater oversight and accountability in the Family Court system, particularly in high-stakes divorce and custody cases where the impact on families can be profound.
Public response has grown increasingly critical of Eisenpress, with two petitions circulating on Change.org calling for her removal, garnering thousands of signatures.
One petition reads, "We demand accountability in our judicial system, and it starts with removing those who abuse their power.”
The local legal community also recognizes the potential problems. However, many fear Eisenpress’s power and the consequences of public statements for their law practices.
"Judge Eisenpress's continued service on the bench, despite these serious allegations, is deeply concerning and erodes confidence in our judicial system," said a local legal expert who wishes to remain anonymous due to the matter's sensitivity.
“She beholden to no one. Except the folks up in Monsey,” the source said.
As the New York State Commission on Judicial Ethics reviews the several grievances against Judge Sherri Eisenpress, many await the outcome, hoping for a resolution that restores confidence in the judicial system and provides justice for affected families.
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