American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee files complaint against Albany Judge W. Dennis Duggan

Judge Duggan NYSUCS

The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (ADC), which bills itself as non-partisan and non-sectarian, and is the largest organization in the United States dedicated to protecting the rights of Arab Americans, has filed a complaint against Albany County Family Court Judge, W. Dennis Duggan, with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

In a custody and visitation rights case between T. B. and M. B., the ADC believes strongly that the fact that M. B. is an Arab-American with a Moroccan background has been the basis of some of Judge Duggan's decisions rather than simply the facts of the case. The complaint also alleges that T. B.'s lawyer, Ian Arcus, has also "exploited the situation, gratuitously emphasizing M.'s Muslim background and presenting witnesses and evidence that ought not to have been permitted."

The complaint enumerates nineteen facts, statements, pieces of evidence, etc. that purportedly show that Judge Duggan's actions may have been motivated by his "animus towards or stereotypical thinking regarding Arabs and Muslims." The complaint is based on interviews with two of M. B.'s attorneys, Steve Rossi and Wayne Smith, as well as a review of documents provided to the ADC.

Due to the confidentiality of the proceedings of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the detailed allegations contained in the complaint will not be released at this time. It should be noted also that few complaints made to the commission result in a hearing and even fewer result in punishment.

For more info: Read more articles by Dan Weaver on family court, child custody, parental rights, child protective services and other related topics.