Opinion 93-19

January 28, 1993

Digest:         A newly-elected judge may use campaign funds to hold a victory party for campaign workers within the six-month period after the election. However, the judge must use private funds if the party is to be held beyond that six month period.

Rules:          22 NYCRR 100.7(a)(1).

Opinion:

         A newly-elected City Court judge inquires whether it is permissible to hold a victory celebration for campaign workers beyond the six-month period set forth in section 100.7(a)(1) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator, after which a judge is not permitted to participate in political activities. The judge informs this Committee that due to an unfortunate circumstance of family illness, the judge will be unable to hold such celebration prior to May 3, 1993, the expiration of the six-month period.

         It is the opinion of this Committee that a victory celebration is a private party and not a political activity so long as no campaign funds are used to finance the event. Accordingly, the judge may hold such celebration beyond the six-month period only if it is financed with the judge's private funds.