NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. — Nassau County District Court Judge William A. Hohauser, 66, has agreed to resign at the end of the year following repeated misconduct findings by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Investigations revealed that between February 2023 and May 2024, Hohauser made several offensive and inappropriate comments toward assistant district attorneys and court staff. These incidents followed an earlier caution issued in May 2022 related to similar behavior. His resignation agreement states that he will relinquish his position by December 31, 2025, and will not seek any future judicial office in the state.
As part of the stipulation with the Commission, Hohauser completed mandatory training in civility and professionalism provided by the state’s Office of Court Administration. In December 2023, he was reassigned from criminal cases to landlord-tenant court, where he will remain through the end of his term.
Hohauser has served on the Nassau County bench since 2016, after a decade as counsel and executive director in Morgan Stanley’s brokerage arm, followed by trustee service in local education.
Nassau County residents rely on the integrity of their judicial system, particularly in District Court matters ranging from criminal cases to housing disputes. A sitting judge’s resignation due to misconduct highlights the Commission’s role in maintaining standards and reinforces the essential requirement of impartiality and respect within the legal community. This development may prompt closer scrutiny over judicial oversight and could influence public confidence in the justice system.
Q&A: Key Questions on the Judge’s Resignation
Q1: Who is Judge Hohauser?
William A. Hohauser has served in Nassau County District Court since 2016. Before his judgeship, he held senior roles at Morgan Stanley and served in local education governance.
Q2: What misconduct was he accused of?
Investigators determined he made multiple inappropriate comments to assistant prosecutors and staff between 2023 and 2024, violating prior warnings issued in 2022.
Q3: What actions did the Commission take?
The Commission required him to complete civility training, reassigned him away from criminal cases, and approved his resignation agreement, banning him from returning to the bench.
Q4: When will he leave office?
Hohauser’s resignation becomes effective on December 31, 2025, coinciding with the end of his current term.
Q5: Will this affect ongoing cases?
His current caseload in landlord-tenant court will be transitioned to another judge before his departure.
Q6: What does this say about the judicial oversight system?
The case illustrates active judicial monitoring, showcasing the Commission’s capacity to enforce ethical conduct and remove those failing to meet professional standards.
Q7: Are there similar cases nearby?
Yes. Other local judges—such as Long Beach City Court Judge Corey Klein and Albany’s David Green—have faced reprimands or resignation agreements after ethical lapses.
Q8: How can Long Island residents follow updates on this and similar cases?
Details are available through NY courts’ Commission on Judicial Conduct filings and local legal news outlets such as Newsday and Long Island Press.
Q9: Could this prompt policy changes or reforms?
The situation may spark calls for more transparent judicial ethics oversight and reinforce training requirements to renew public trust.
Q10: What should Long Islanders do if they witness judicial misconduct?
Community members can file complaints to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which reviews all allegations and takes necessary action.
