Speaker Heastie Announces Nominees to Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he intends to nominate Robert E. Torres and Leonard B. Austin to the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.

“Mr. Torres and Mr. Austin are experienced jurists that will make them assets on the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government,” Speaker Heastie said. “The experience that they have gained in their distinguished legal and judicial careers will serve them, and the people of New York, well in helping ensure integrity and accountability in our government and in our state’s officials.”

The Honorable Robert E. Torres is a retired New York State Supreme Court justice with over 25 years of experience. In 2014 he was appointed Administrative Judge of Criminal Term for the 12th Judicial District. In addition to his judicial work, Mr. Torres served on the city wide task force for the implication of the youth court, is a certified youth court judge and established both a Veterans Court in Bronx County as well as a free clinic for those facing foreclosure proceedings.

The Honorable Leonard B. Austin has retired as justice from the New York State Supreme Court and is currently a special professor of law at Hofstra University School of Law. Prior to serving on the Supreme Court, Mr. Austin worked in private practice in New York State.