Current:Home > InvestEchoSense:Judge made lip-synching TikTok videos at work with "graphic sexual references" and "racist terms," complaint alleges -WealthPro Academy
EchoSense:Judge made lip-synching TikTok videos at work with "graphic sexual references" and "racist terms," complaint alleges
Indexbit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 09:54:01
A New Jersey judge is under investigation for dozens of TikTok videos that showed him lip-syncing along to popular songs, sometimes while at work or while wearing judicial robes.
According to a complaint submitted to the state's Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, Superior Court Judge Gary N. Wilcox used an alias to create an account and post videos on TikTok. There are about 40 videos on his public account, posted between April 2021 and March 2023. Eleven of the videos "were inappropriate and brought disrepute to the Judiciary," the complaint said.
In some of the videos, Wilcox — using the pseudonym "Sal Tortorella" — lip-synced along to popular songs, including Rihanna's "Jump," Busta Rhymes' "Touch It" and other songs with "profanity, graphic sexual references to female and male body parts, and/or racist terms," the complaint alleges.
In one video, the judge allegedly stood in his chambers and mouthed along to the lyrics: "All my life, I've been waiting for somebody to whoop my ass. I mean business! You think you can run up on me and whip my monkey ass?" It's not clear what song those lyrics were from.
According to the complaint, other videos show Wilcox "wearing his judicial clothes and/or partially dressed while lying in bed." One video allegedly showed Wilcox walking through the courthouse dressed in a Beavis and Butthead T-shirt while "Get Down" by Nas played in the background.
The account appears to have been removed from TikTok. According to the complaint, Wilcox celebrated having 100 followers at one point.
The complaint said that Wilcox "exhibited poor judgment and demonstrated disrespect for the Judiciary and an inability to conform to the high standards of conduct expected of judges" by posting the videos. He also violated multiple judicial rules, the complaint said.
Wilcox has been practicing law since 1989 and has been a Superior Court judge since 2011. He presides over criminal cases in New Jersey's Bergen County.
According to the website for New Jersey's judicial system, ethics complaints against judges are investigated and prosecuted by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct. Following an investigation, the committee may choose to dismiss the complaint, privately or publicly discipline a judge, or file formal charges against the judge. Private discipline includes informing the judge that the committee found evidence of wrongdoing and issuing "guidance, caution, admonition, reprimand, or censure" to them.
If a judge is publicly disciplined, the committee can recommend the state's Supreme Court dismiss the case, or offer "public admonition, public reprimand, public censure, suspension, or begin proceedings to have the judge removed from the bench."
His lawyer, Robert Hille, told the New York Times that he was reviewing the complaint and would file a response.
"These are mainstream performers," he told the New York Times, about the music cited in the complaint. "This is music that's out there in the public. And clearly it elicits a different response depending on who is listening."
- In:
- New Jersey
- Judge
- Bergen county
Kerry Breen is a news editor and reporter for CBS News. Her reporting focuses on current events, breaking news and substance use.
veryGood! (26612)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- 'America's Got Talent' judge Simon Cowell says singer Putri Ariani deserves to win season
- Angelina Jolie Shares Rare Insight into Life With Her and Brad Pitt's Kids
- Plans for Poland’s first nuclear power plant move ahead as US and Polish officials sign an agreement
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- House advances GOP-backed spending bills, but threat of government shutdown remains
- High school football coach resigns after team used 'Nazi' play call during game
- Long COVID has affected nearly 7% of American adults, CDC survey data finds
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Step Up Your Coastal Cowgirl Style With Coach Outlet's Riveting Studded Accessories
Ranking
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- High school football coach resigns after team used 'Nazi' play call during game
- British Museum seeks public help in finding stolen artefacts
- Biden's dog, Commander, bites Secret Service staff again
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- British Museum seeks public help in finding stolen artefacts
- Ex boyfriend arrested in case of Crystal Rogers, Kentucky mom who disappeared in 2015
- Britain approves new North Sea oil drilling, delighting the industry but angering critics
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
The Czech government has approved a defense ministry plan to acquire two dozen US F-35 fighter jets
Jalen Hurts played with flu in Eagles' win, but A.J. Brown's stomachache was due to Takis
Texas family sues mortuary for allegedly dropping body down flight of stairs
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 3.4 million vehicles due to fire risk and urge owners to park outdoors
Gisele Bündchen Shares Rare Photo With Her 5 Sisters in Heartfelt Post
Let it snow? Winter predictions start as El Niño strengthens. Here's what forecasters say.