State: Duanesburg Justice Siegel resigns after investigation

DUANESBURG – Allegations that Duanesburg Town Justice Deanna Siegel repeatedly failed to file timely financial reports with the state and then failed to cooperate with the state’s investigation have led to her resignation, the state said Wednesday.

Siegel has been one of two town justices in Duanesburg since 2015. She agreed to resign effective next Friday and agreed never to hold or seek a judicial office again, according to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct.

“Public confidence in the courts requires that town and village justices scrupulously account for and timely remit all fines, fees, bail and other official funds in their care,” Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian said in a statement. “Judges must also cooperate with Judicial Conduct Commission inquiries. Failure to do either is bad enough. Failure to do both is likely to end with the judge off the bench.”

Siegel was accused of repeatedly failing to report the receipt of court funds between December 2015 and February 2017 and failed to send funds by required deadlines.

She then failed to respond to numerous letters and failed to appear for testimony.

After further proceedings, Siegel was told that she would be recommended for removal from office. She turned in her resignation June 8, making it effective June 29.

Contacted Wednesday, Siegel indicated she has some personal issues that she is dealing with that require her attention and that the resolution allows her to focus on those.

She will continue with her private practice.

Prior to becoming town judge, Siegel made an unsuccessful bid for Schenectady County Family Court judge in 2014.

Siegel’s judgeship is to remain open until this November’s election, Duanesburg Supervisor Roger Tidball said Wednesday. Her replacement will then take office for a full four-year term in January. In the meantime, the town’s other justice will cover both calendars, Tidball said.