New York State Justice John L. Michalski died by his own hand on Tuesday, April 4, 2022. His death is tragic, as most suicides are, but as investigators unravel Michalski’s connections and associations, it appears as though the judge was involved in behaviors more reminiscent of “The Sopranos.” Strange to say, but prior to his death, the judge was deemed a highly respected member of the legal community.
A Friendship that Killed?
The judge had once tried to commit suicide, but that was two years ago. Presumably, it was due to severe depression and it evoked sympathy – as it should, but the successful suicide (if one can call it that) is now cast in a shadow of suspicion.
The judge had a friendship with Peter Gerace Jr., a strip club owner with ties to the mob. Apparently, a relative of Gerace is a crime boss in Upstate New York. The friendship was characterized as being very close.
Here is where John L. Michalski’s life unraveled.
Two years ago, on the very day Gerace was charged, Michalski tried to kill himself by lying on train tracks. At that time, the charges against Gerace included sex tracking (prostitution), bribery and drug distribution charges.
So, whatever Michalski’s link to Gerace might have been, two years ago, the judge hauled himself to the freight yards laid down on the tracks and awaited his fate. The once respected judge survived, but with severe leg injuries. He recovered enough, and received mental health counseling, enough to make it back to the bench.
Strangely, Gerace was serving jail time in Florida and it has been alleged that Gerace was shielded from more severe punishment than he would have in New York. While Michalski was not named, there were suspicions.
In any event, things seemed to be blowing over for the judge.
However, in mid-March 2022, a federal investigation was launched in regard to Michalski and his wife over “tax crimes.” The judge and his wife apparently ran an online apparel and jewelry business they operated out of their home. The judge, fully restored to the bench, was collecting an annual salary of $210,000; he didn’t need the money. Nevertheless, it would appear he wasn’t paying his fair share of taxes.
Laundering?
According to the wire services, when the Feds raided Michalski’s residence “looking for evidence of tax crimes as other state agencies were investigating his professional and personal conduct,” it triggered something deep and sinister. The judge who was always well respected, committed suicide shortly after photos emerged of law enforcement removing boxes of records from the judge’s residence.
This triggers numerous questions. At some point, Michalski crossed the line from a seemingly casual friendship to an unprofessional, unethical relationship with organized crime. What was the motivation for the judge to establish a relationship with someone having mob ties?
Without knowing any specific details, what were the kinds of apparel and jewelry the judge and his wife were selling? Were federal agents looking for receipts of purchases and invoices, or were they suspicious as to the origins of the goods? If this was the case, I would not be surprised to learn of prosecutors looking for evidence of money laundering and/or stolen goods.
At some point, did the judge’s ethical conscience catch up with him and crushed his soul so badly that he could no longer go on? Did he (nobly) believe that in ending his life he could take any potential implications away from his wife?
Ethical behavior
The issue with fraud is that sooner or later, it will usually exact its toll on the fraudster. If Michalski helped shield Gerace, and if he worked with Gerace’s connections to launder money, he began to see the final loop being closed. Michalski could not escape his shame.
Every choice has a consequence, and in this case, the judge could see only one solution to the choice. He had destroyed everything he had once stood for, and in doing so took the only escape he could imagine. It is an ugly story but that is the price that unethical behavior frequently dictates.
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