Conservative Family Court Judge Ettore Simeone, who is fighting for his political life, has decided against running an Independence Party primary, according to sources close to his campaign.
The sources say Simeone, who is also running with Republican support, decided to pull back from an Independence primary in a bid to calm down the minor party's chairman, Frank MacKay, who is backing Democratic challenger Theresa Whelan.
Only last week, Simeone campaign co-chairman Kenneth Auerbach said that the judge had already collected more than the 1,300 signatures to qualify for the Independence Party primary.
Rick Brand
However, one Simeone campaign volunteer who did not wish to be identified said campaign workers were told not to collect any more Independence Party petitions.
MacKay declined to comment, and Auerbach did not return calls Wednesday.
Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, said his party is gearing up to make Simeone, who was censured by the state judicial commission two years ago, a major target of the fall campaign.
“I can’t wait to run against the Simeone-DiCarlo and Simeone-Datre tickets,” he said, referring to GOP town Supervisor candidate Robert DiCarlo in Brookhaven and Clara Datre in Islip. “We’re going to wrap Simeone around the neck the of the Republican Party. They’re going to be held accountable for running someone with his record.”
UPDATE: Islip Republicans did not return calls for comment, but Frank Tassone, a spokesman for the Brookhaven GOP campaign, said "If I were a Democrat in Brookhaven, I'd be worried a lot more about Brian Foley's publicly praising Alan Hevesi -- who trurned out to betray the public trust and admited to being a felon."
Comments (3)
The independent group - Court watchers - reviews Judge Simeone's abilities & work on the bench. This is the report:
Hon. Ettore A. Simeone
Hon. Ettore Simeone is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton
and Albany Law School. From 1981 to 1989, he served as an assistant district attorney for
Suffolk County. From 1990 to 1997, he served as principal law clerk to State Supreme Court
Justice H. Patrick Leis III. In 1997, he was appointed to the Suffolk County Family Court by
Governor George E. Pataki on an interim basis and elected to the Family Court the following
year.
Judge Simeone was observed by ten monitors on eleven different days.
Demeanor
The monitors described Judge Simeone as "calm," "courteous," and "respectful to
everyone." One monitor praised, "Judge Simeone cares for the children." Another described the
judge as "like a father who was sympathetic yet firm."
Monitors praised the manner in which Judge Simeone interacted with children and others
involved in the proceedings. One monitor was impressed that he talked to the involved children,
"letting them know that they were empowered to make things better or worse." This monitor
also pointed out that Judge Simeone used "certificates, pictures with the judge and applause" to
encourage the children. Another monitor recounted a case in which a sign language translator
was used with parents who were both profoundly hearing impaired. This monitor praised the
judge for his patience with the parents and the translator: “the parents were agitated but the judge
explained and explained until the [parents]] understood their rights and the consequences of their
behavior plus the reasons for his numerous [rulings] in the case.”
Professionalism
Monitors found Judge Simeone to be "highly professional." They stressed that he was
“very knowledgeable” on all observed cases and gave clear and thorough explanations, and
"made sure he was understood." Another monitor noted, "His questions to petitioners were clear
and on point." One monitor was impressed that he explained “which options were available for
each litigant” particularly which program would best suit them.
Monitors praised Judge Simeone for the efficient manner in which he conducted
proceedings. One monitor remarked, "Judge Simeone ran a very efficient courtroom with the
very willing cooperation of his staff." One monitor was impressed with efforts not to waste time
when a placement for a child had to be arranged. The monitor observed that the judge or a
member of his staff would “on the spot” call the agency to start the placement process. On another occasion Judge Simeone was actively involved in assuring that the afternoon session
ended on time in keeping with new overtime rules for staff.
Monitors also were impressed by the formality of proceedings in Judge Simeone's
courtroom. Two monitors were impressed that, in their experience, only Judge Simeone began
the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. One monitor noted, "It was an effective reminder of
where were and what was happening." Another approvingly observed, "This was [only] the
second courtroom here in family court where we were asked to rise each time the judge entered."
Command of the Courtroom
In general, monitors reported that Judge Simeone was in “good” control of his courtroom.
Audibility
Some monitors had difficulty hearing Judge Simeone and suggested, “The judge should
speak up.” Noise from the hallway and opening doors was reported as a problem attributed his
inaudibility.
Bob DiCarlo, who unfortunately
will be hurt by helping a friend.Bob was an excellent NY Senator.It is my understanding
that Judge Simeone is Bob's boyhood friend and he should be applauded for not turning his back on a troubled friend.This is rare today especially in politics.Bob DiCarlo is the godfather of the Judges child and I believe visa versa.They may have also served as best men at each other's weddings.No one seems to appreciate loyalty and friendship anymore.Knowing that the Judge will probably hurt his own chances most politicians would have ran for cover to save their own hides.Kudos Bob.God bless you.
As far as the Judge goes I know him personally from the late Chairman Curcio.Judge Simeone used to push Pat's wheelchair before he was elected but unfortunately stopped after the election.I guess he got what he wanted.I want to know why he thinks he try to cut the line on section 8 housing just because his mother was sick my mother was sick too and passed last January.She was #79 on the waiting list for only 19 homes.There are many people who are further down the list.Aren't any of them sick?Judge Simeone makes over $135,000 a year I make less than $60,000.What he did should be punished some how.If not he should make a public apology to everyone and their family on the steps of Babylon Town hall.If he is not willing to do this then he should be arrested or whatever they do in these cases.But he should be given the chance to say he is sorry to all those people.I think ha should be forgiven even for all his other faults even all the adultery and the illegal stuff but first he has to apologize to everyone and then he can start over again.
Bob DiCarlo on the other hand is a good guy who doesn't do anything like the Judge and he is just guilty of standing by his bud.People in his area should vote for him and maybe give the Judge another chance if he does the public apology.If not then he should be removed or whatever they do to guys like him.Off to work I go.
Art
And where did Simeone's people collect 1300 signatures for the Independence primary ? These signatures are as scarce as hen teeth. He gave it up because the signatures cannot pass scrutiny and would cause further embarassment to this ridiculous campaign for a defamed judge. Curcio certainly can add his making of this loser a judge to his list of errors. I only rmember John Andrew Kay pushing Curcio's wheelchair around. If he was sucking up to Curcio it didn't last long. Simeone should get off the bench.