Judge resigns after DWI coverup scandal

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Makowski abruptly resigned Friday after getting caught up in a DWI cover-up scandal with a former prosecutor.

Anne Adams pleaded guilty to DWI, falsifying documents and evidence tampering Friday.

Late Friday afternoon, Anne Adams, a high profile lawyer and former prosecutor with the Erie County District Attorney's office admitted driving while intoxicated, when she was stopped by Hamburg Police back in September.

Adams also admitted to Judge Sheila DiTullio she deliberately tried to mislead investigators with a day late a blood sample as evidence.

DiTullio asked,  "And solicited said physician to falsify on the tube containing the blood sample that said blood sample was drawn on September 2, 2008?

Adams answered, "That is correct."

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III said, "...where she had enough time to de-toxify, and she had a normal blood alcohol content, consistent with somebody who was sober."

Initially Adams claimed she was sober, and State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Makowski vouched for Adams, even signing an affidavit that she seemed okay, when they were together at Shanghai Red's Restaurant shortly before the arrest.

But faced with overwhelming evidence by the authorities, Justice Makowski admitted he lied, leaving Adams with little choice but to change her plea to guilty.

Sedita said, "Her conduct was disgraceful, and she is being held accountable for that conduct. She is now a criminal."

Makowski then handed in his resignation to 8th District Administrative Judge Sharon Townsend effective March 5th.

Sedita said, "This man is in a position of authority, is a public figure, is called upon to make judgments and decisions every day. He holds a position of public trust, and therefore must be held to a higher standard." 

Sedita says it was Anne Adams' physician who drew that blood from Anne Adams who tipped off authorities.

Sedita says he expects Makowski and Adams to face disciplinary action and possible disbarrment.

When asked if this was a case of the cover-up being worse than the crime, Sedita answered 'yes,' as it always is.