BROOKLYN---Former Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Gerald P. Garson faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted Thursday of third degree bribery for fixing divorce cases and two counts of receiving rewards for official misconduct, all felonies.

Garson had turned down a plea deal last October that would have given him 18 months in jail on felony bribery charges.

Following two days of deliberations after a five-week trial, the jury found that Garson, 74, had accepted a box of expensive Dominican cigars from an attorney after he had given him ex parte advice on a case. The jury also found that the same attorney had paid Garson $1,000 for referring two clients to him. Both of the incidents had been captured on videotape.

The ex-jurist was acquitted of four counts of receiving rewards for official misconduct in regard to his receipt of payments for having referred cases to the attorney.

Garson was on trial for seven felonies which included one count of receiving a bribe and six counts of receiving reward for official misconduct and two misdemeanor counts of official misconduct. The charges relate to a quid pro quo relationship between himself and attorney Paul Siminovsky. Siminovsky has been disbarred and has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of unlawfully giving gratuities to a judge.

Over the objections of the projection, Garson remains free on $15,000 bail until his sentencing on June 5. It is expected that he will appeal. 4-20-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette