Town justice in Cattaraugus County resigns amid accusations

A town justice in Cattaraugus County has resigned after the start of an investigation into allegedly improper conduct.

Mark A. Schindler, a Persia town justice, stepped down after the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct started looking into allegations of problems with financial reporting and snide remarks.

Schindler resigned from office effective March 16 and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future. Schindler, who is not an attorney, had been a Persia town justice since 2013.  His current term would have expired on Dec. 31, 2024.

Schindler was notified in August 2020 that he was being investigated for allegedly failing to file mandatory reports and send money collected to the state Comptroller and that he had imposed fines and surcharges outside the legal limits.

At the arraignment of a Native American defendant, Schindler allegedly made snide comments about money the defendant received from the Seneca Nation.

In May 2021, the Comptroller issued a notice to stop paying Schindler’s salary because he failed to make mandatory monthly reports and send payments to the Comptroller