The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has dismissed an ethics complaint against Justice Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the hush money criminal case involving former U.S. President Donald Trump. The complaint, which was filed over a year ago, was dismissed in July with a caution, according to spokesperson Al Baker of the state Office of Court Administration.
The complaint stemmed from donations made in 2020, including contributions to Democratic groups such as ActBlue, Progressive Turnout Project, and Stop Republicans. While the exact source of the complaint remains unknown, it raised concerns about potential bias due to Justice Merchan’s daughter’s work as a political consultant for Democrats.
Despite efforts by Trump and his legal team to disqualify Justice Merchan from the case, the judge has denied multiple recusal motions, citing the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics’ assessment that the contributions did not create an impression of bias.
Trump, who is facing charges related to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records. The ongoing legal battle has drawn significant attention, with the Commission on Judicial Conduct’s recent decision shedding light on the complexities of judicial ethics and political contributions.
As the case continues to unfold, the public remains captivated by the intersection of law, politics, and personal ethics in one of the most high-profile legal battles in recent memory.