National Organization for Women of New Jersey and Ocean County chapter call for Superior Court Judge John Russo Jr.’s Resignation

The National Organization for Women of New Jersey and Ocean County NOW are calling on
New Jersey Superior Court Judge John Russo Jr. to resign, effective immediately. He was
recently given a three-month, unpaid suspension by the Advisory Committee on Judicial
Conduct based on multiple complaints about his behavior, particularly toward women. The most
egregious, though not the only incident, was based on his questioning of a sexual assault victim.
He enquired, “Do you know how to stop somebody from having intercourse with you?” Later he
asked, did you, “Close your legs? Call the police? Did you do any of those things?”

Not only do we condemn the remarks, it is our belief that those comments alone should warrant
a permanent removal from the bench, not a three-month suspension. In addition, Judge Russo
has had other ethics complaints filed against him and is currently facing a sexual harassment
lawsuit by a former law clerk.

Lynda Fote, President of Ocean County NOW, says, “In this era of #MeToo, women are speaking
up to hold powerful men accountable for their bad behavior. Judge Russo’s actions create a
hostile climate for witnesses, defendants and those who work in the court. Just as we think we
have made strides in how victims of sexual assault are treated; such conduct serves to remind us
that there remain men in positions of power who haven’t gotten the message.”

Anjali Mehrotra, President of the National Organization for Women of New Jersey echoes
Ms. Fote’s comments. “There is no way any woman who appears in Judge Russo’s court will feel
confident that she will be treated with respect or receive an impartial verdict.” Ms. Mehrotra is
calling on Russo to accept responsibility for his reprehensible conduct and resign immediately.
Mehrotra also contends that sending Russo for additional training on ‘appropriate courtroom
demeanor’ will be a waste of time since nothing in Judge Russo’s past behavior suggests he is
amenable to change.

In the event that Judge Russo does not resign, the National Organization for Women of New
Jersey and Ocean County NOW are calling on the New Jersey Supreme Court to overrule the
Advisory Committee for Judicial Conduct and remove Judge Russo from the bench. The women
of Ocean County deserve better. The women of Ocean County demand better.

For more information about NOW New Jersey, please visit www.nownj.org.

About National Organization for Women of New Jersey (NOW-NJ)
The purpose of NOW-NJ is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote
feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal
rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life