NYC Judge Commits Suicide Weeks After FBI Raids His Home
A New York State judge took his own life, a month after his home was raided by in the FBI in connection to one his former clients.
Judge John L. Michalski, an acting justice of the State Supreme Court, was found dead at his home in Amherst, N.Y., in Buffalo.
“It’s difficult to explain what a tragedy this is,” said lawyer Terrence Connors, who is the close friend of the judge, “it would be difficult to find a judge who was more respected.”
Michalski’s home was raided on on March 24. According to The Buffalo News officials were searching for evidence of tax crimes as well as any evidence in regards to his professional and personal conduct.
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“He was beloved by the lawyers of our community. This was a terrible tragedy felt most by his family but reverberated throughout the entire Western New York legal community.”
Per The Buffalo Times, during the raid “They were looking for evidence of tax crimes. You now have criminal investigations, federal and state, involving the FBI, the US Attorney, the state Attorney General’s Office and State Police.”
“They are looking into whether there was income from the business that should have been reported,”
The judge was also involved in an investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office connected to potential corruption, however, no charges were ever filed.
Michalski leaves behind his wife and four children.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis please reach out to the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.