Two judges demoted, another retires

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Two local judges were relieved of their administrative duties last week, suddenly and without replacements lined up in advance, prompting much gossip in the legal community. 

Coincidentally, a third judge resigned — opening a vacancy to be filled temporarily by appointment and then long-term in November’s general election.

Chief Administrative Judge Kevin Carter last Tuesday was removed from his role overseeing court operations in the Eighth Judicial District, which comprises the eight counties of Western New York. At the same time, Erie County Judge Susan Eagan was removed from her post as supervising criminal judge. Eagan will remain on the bench and Carter will return to hearing cases in Erie County Family Court. 

The Buffalo News’ Aaron Besecker, who was first to report the story, noted that the state Office of Court Administration named a temporary replacement for Carter, who succeeded State Supreme Court Judge Paula Feroleto in July 2021. 

“During the last transition of administrative judges, there was no gap between Feroleto’s and Carter’s tenure,” Besecker wrote.

The abruptness of the change has elicited many rumors. One of these was that Carter recently had been placed on administrative leave. 

Asked if this was the case, Al Baker, spokesperson for the state Office of Court Administration, declined to provide a yes-or-no answer. 

“After serving several years in their respective positions, Judges Carter and Eagan have each resumed their responsibilities as a trial court judge,” Baker wrote. 

Baker did not respond when pressed for a clearer answer. A call to Carter’s cell went straight to voicemail and was not returned.

Meanwhile, a third local judge left office this week, a little over halfway into her 10-year term.

Buffalo City Court Judge Lenora Foote-Beavers told Investigative Post she was leaving to take a job as chief health equity officer for Evergreen Health. She will also continue to teach at Erie Community College and Canisius University, where she is co-director of the pre-law program.

Although she was a City Court judge, Foote-Beavers served as an acting judge in Erie County Family Court, where she worked as a support magistrate before winning a seat in City Court in 2019. The Democrat said she’d previously considered running for a Family Court judgeship, but decided 27 years in the court system was enough.

A Family Court seat is on the ballot this year. The incumbent is Judge Brenda Freedman, a Republican. Erie County Democrats have not made an endorsement.

“I asked myself if I was prepared to commit to another 10 years, to run another campaign, and ultimately the answer was no,” she said. 

Foote-Beaver’s departure leaves a vacancy on City Court, which Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon can fill by appointment — a political plum to offer somebody. Whoever he appoints will have to run in November to hold the seat.

Geoff Kelly