New Windsor Town Justice George Meyers Jr. has been suspended amid an investigation into harassment allegations, according to the Office of Court Administration. Fellow Town Justice Noreen Calderin and Town of Newburgh Justice Richard Clarino are handling Meyers’ cases for the time being.

The allegations are part of an ongoing lawsuit, Tarsio v. Town of New Windsor et al, being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under Judge Cathy Seibel. Filed on Feb. 19, 2024, the case involves claims of unlawful employment practices.

The plaintiff, Patricia Tarsio, a clerk in the Town Justice Court since 2008, alleges that Meyers made inappropriate comments about her physical appearance and requested to meet outside of work, which she declined. Tarsio, who was promoted to senior court clerk in 2020, worked with both Meyers and Calderin.

According to court documents available on the town’s website, the inappropriate behavior allegedly began in 2021 and escalated with comments about Meyers’ relationships with other clerks. Tarsio claims the comments created a hostile work environment and made her feel uncomfortable.

In January 2023, Tarsio and other clerks reluctantly attended a holiday party where Meyers allegedly made inappropriate remarks, including referencing a drink called “Bananas and Blow,” which made attendees uncomfortable. Tarsio reported her concerns to Calderin, but a planned meeting with Meyers was canceled.

Tarsio’s complaint was also sent to the town attorney and later referred to the Unified Court System’s Inspector General and the Committee on Judicial Conduct. After filing the complaints, Tarsio claims Meyers retaliated by making her job more difficult and restricting her duties. In January 2024, she began working from home when Meyers was in court.

The lawsuit brings four counts against the defendants, including sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and unlawful retaliation. Tarsio is represented by attorney Jonathan Goldman of Sussman and Goldman, while Meyers is represented by Richard Epstein and Michael Miranda of Miranda Slone Sklarin Verveniotis LLP. The Town of New Windsor is represented by attorney Annemarie Jones of Sokoloff Stern LLP.

All attorneys involved, as well as Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti, have declined to comment on the case.

A spokesperson for the state’s Office of Court Administration, Al Baker, stated on Oct. 4, “The UCS does not comment on internal investigations or judicial assignments.”