Kevin Copeland Removed

Kevin E. Copeland, a Justice of the New Hartford Town Court in Oneida County, New York since 2014, resigned effective October 31, 2024, following a complaint from the New York State Department of Labor. The Department found that between March 2020 and March 2021, on at least 17 weekly unemployment certifications, Copeland falsely stated he had worked zero days — when he had in fact worked at least one day per week presiding as a town judge. The Department determined Copeland received nearly $14,000 in unemployment benefits he was not entitled to as a result.

Copeland has since repaid the funds and has maintained the overpayment was a misunderstanding. As part of his resignation, he agreed never to return to judicial office.