NY judge censured for comparing other jurist, worker to steamy 'Body Heat' stars
Share this @internewscast.com

He’s the one feeling the heat now.

A judge from upstate New York finds himself in trouble after implying that another judge was involved in a passionate relationship with a local government employee — reminiscent of William Hurt and Kathleen Turner’s relationship in the film “Body Heat.”

While overseeing his courtroom in St. Lawrence County in January 2023, Rossie Town Judge Philip Gentile made an offhand comment to a prosecutor, suggesting that a judge and a code-enforcement officer from a nearby town shared a close relationship. He likened their connection to the steamy scenes from the 1981 movie, as reported by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

The Times Union mentioned that Gentile had previously appeared before the unnamed judge regarding a private zoning issue in which the enforcement officer was involved.

“It was kind of like … Kathleen Turner and William Hurt in ‘Body Heat,’ you know, because they were so … close in the court that they were finishing each other’s sentences and stuff,” Gentile said of the other judge and the enforcement officer — comments picked up on his own court’s recording device.

The commission’s report on the incident included a footnote that described Hurt and Turner’s characters as being in “a passionate affair” and involved in a “plot to murder the latter’s husband,” the outlet said.

Gentile’s comments earned him a censure, or formal reprimand.

“It undermines the judicial obligation to be fair and impartial when a judge bases decisions on outside conversations to which one or more parties are not privy and cannot counter,” the commission said in its ruling.

“Nor does it enhance the integrity of the court for a judge to utter profanities on the bench or spread baseless gossip about other judges or public officials. The commission expects Judge Gentile to

be more sensitive to these and his other judicial obligations going forward.”

According to the judicial commission, Gentile “has acknowledged that his conduct was improper and warrants public discipline.”

The wisecrack comment wasn’t the only thing that has gotten Gentile in trouble.

Between November 2022 and March 2024, Gentile also spoke to a prosecutor in an assault case but refused to share the conversation with a defense lawyer, balked at modifying an order of protection after having a private conversation and “uttered profanities in court,” the commission said.

Gentile, who is not a lawyer — and is not required to be by local law — has served as a judge in Rossie since 2018. His current term runs out in December.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Bay Street near Jacksonville's Maxwell House Coffee plant down to 1 lane

Traffic Reduced to Single Lane on Bay Street Near Maxwell House Coffee Plant in Jacksonville

A JEA spokesperson crews will be working Bay Street near the Maxwell…
Cheez-It will debut gluten-free crackers next year

Cheez-It Set to Launch Gluten-Free Crackers in 2024

The snack company confirmed the news Monday after rumors were swirling online…
Trump calls Elon Musk's formation of new party 'ridiculous'

Trump Criticizes Elon Musk’s New Political Party as ‘Absurd’

President Donald Trump criticized Elon Musk’s idea to create a new political…
Epstein Memo Denies Client List, Sparks American Fury

Epstein Memo Disclaims Client List, Inciting Public Outrage in America

The Trump administration’s Justice Department and FBI have declared Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019…
Tourist who missed Norwegian cruise ship discovered dead on mountain trail in Alaska

Missing Cruise Passenger Found Dead on Alaska’s Mountain Trail

A tourist who went missing after she failed to return to her…
Watch: Eric Swalwell's Attempt to Troll Donald Trump Goes All Kinds of Wrong

A Hilarious Observation on ‘Robot Eric Swalwell’ Walk Reveals Something You Can’t Unsee

I’m just gonna say it. Eric Swalwell is a weird dude.  I’ve…

Terrifying Scene Unfolds as Cabin is Carried Off by Lethal Texas Floodwaters While Bystanders Shout, ‘It’s Full of People’

THIS is the terrifying moment a cabin was swept away during the…
Rapper 4xtra loses '2 fingers' in gruesome fireworks mishap after joking about 'blowing' somebody up

Rapper 4xtra loses ‘2 fingers’ in a horrific fireworks accident after previously joking about an explosion

Infamous last words. A rapper and podcast host suffered a severe hand…
After setback to Iran's nuclear program, Trump expected to leverage military support in Netanyahu meeting

Following a Blow to Iran’s Nuclear Efforts, Trump Anticipated to Use Military Backing in Talks with Netanyahu

Hamas indicates a willingness to consider a ceasefire with Israel, as reported…
Clovis woman Alyssa Kincaid battles stage 4 lymphoma cancer after symptoms while five months pregnant in California

Clovis Resident Alyssa Kincaid Faces Stage 4 Lymphoma During Pregnancy

CLOVIS, Calif. — A Clovis woman is facing a life-threatening diagnosis while…
Chicago shooting: 16-year-old Meeyah Smith killed in Avalon Park worked with 'Englewood First Responders,' friends say; man hurt

16-Year-Old Meeyah Smith, Englewood First Responders Member, Fatally Shot in Chicago’s Avalon Park; Man Injured

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 16-year-old girl who was killed in shooting Friday…
A Vermont dairy farm was raided. The mixed messages from Washington since then have increased fears

Mixed Messages from Washington Heighten Concerns Following Vermont Dairy Farm Raid

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — After six 12-hour shifts milking cows, José Molina-Aguilar’s…