What to Know
- A Long Island judge has been accused of breaking into a home to steal women's underpants; he also admitted to having some on him
- Robert Cicale, a Republican district court judge from Suffolk County, was cuffed after a woman in East Islip allegedly found him in her home
- On Monday, Cicale was formally suspended without pay, effective immediately
A New York judge who police say repeatedly broke into his Long Island neighbor's home to steal her underwear has been formally suspended.
New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore signed a decision ordering District Court Judge Robert Cicale suspended without pay, effective immediately.
The Suffolk County judge was temporarily relieved from the bench after being arrested for burglary on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty.
Police said the woman was alone in her East Islip home when she heard a noise and saw a man running off. Officers say they found Cicale carrying the woman's "soiled undergarments."
Court papers said Cicale admitted he "went into the house to take the panties again."
Cicale's attorney said his client had a stellar reputation.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
