CNY judge resigns after admitting he received unemployment benefits he shouldn’t have taken

New Hartford — A Central New York judge has resigned after he was accused of illegally receiving nearly $14,000 in unemployment insurance benefits that he was not entitled to.
In July, Kevin E. Copeland, a justice of the New Hartford Town Court in Oneida County, was served with a formal written complaint from the state Department of Labor alleging Copeland received unemployment benefits he shouldn’t have received, according to Marisa E. Harrison, the state Commission on Judicial Conduct spokesperson.
The labor department found that Copeland made a “factually false statement” and “concealed pertinent” information regarding his compensation as a judge. He received nearly $14,000 in unemployment insurance benefits he was not entitled to, Harrison said.
Harrison said Copeland repaid $13,878 to the labor department.
Copeland told commissioners that he attempted to obtain clarification from the labor department regarding his eligibility, but was unsuccessful because normal agency operations were “curtailed” during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the commission’s stipulation.
Copeland told the commission the benefits he received were based on a misunderstanding during the pandemic.
Copeland’s attorney, Robert Julian said Copeland kept the money in a reserve account and later refunded it to the labor department, resolving the case, he said.
Copeland also said that the department did not seek interest or penalties, according to the commission’s stipulation.
Copeland agreed to resign from his job as town justice and said he would leave his judicial office on or before Oct. 31. He agreed to never return to office, Harrison said.
“Rather than go through an extensive battle with the commission [Copeland] retired,” Julian said. “He enjoyed the job and he enjoyed public service very much, but I think he was not inclined to run for re-election anyway.”
Julian said Copeland resigning as a town justice was a “peaceful way out.”
Copeland served as a town justice since 2014. His current term would have ended on Dec. 31, 2025.
Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has reached out to Copeland and his attorney for comment.
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