AG Letitia James urged to probe Monroe DA Sandra Doorley’s traffic incident

April 30, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Attorney General Letitia James is urged to investigate Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley's confrontational behavior during a traffic stop. Photo: Bebeto Matthews

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The conduct of Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley during a recent traffic stop has led to calls for an investigation by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The incident, captured on bodycam footage, showed Doorley in a contentious exchange with a police officer after being pulled over for speeding.

The incident began when Sandra Doorley was observed speeding. She was recorded doing speeds of 55 mph in a 35 mph zone, but rather than stopping immediately, she continued driving to her home. The police followed her, and the actual confrontation took place in her garage. This is where the recorded exchange occurred, including her remarks towards the officer.

During the incident, Doorley called Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier. She asked him to tell the police officers to “leave me alone,” and she handed her phone to the officer so that he could speak with the Chief directly. This occurred as part of the confrontation in her garage.

The footage revealed her reacting defiantly, including a moment where she referred to the officer as “an asshole” when he attempted to administer a ticket.

“I don’t really care,” Doorley can be heard saying on the tape after being informed of her speed, further exacerbating the situation. She continued to challenge the officer’s actions, declaring, “I know the law better than you,” and at one point, while holding up her badge, emphatically stated, “I am THE DA.”

These actions prompted the Rochester City Council to send a letter to Attorney General Letitia James, expressing their concerns and requesting a formal investigation into Doorley’s behavior. The council members stressed that “public officials are held to the highest standards of ethics, accountability, and respect for the law,” and that Doorley’s behavior “appears to violate these standards.”

In response to the growing scrutiny, Doorley issued a public apology, acknowledging her disrespectful treatment of the officer and her poor judgment during the incident.

“But we all have bad days and stress, and it was wrong for me to take it out on an officer who was just doing his job,” Doorley said in a prepared statement. She has agreed to refer the matter for review to a district attorney from another county and self-report to the grievance committee.

In New York, the grievance committee can impose various disciplinary measures on attorneys, including district attorneys, who are found guilty of professional misconduct. These actions range from admonitions, which are private reprimands for minor offenses, to censures, public reprimands that express disapproval without affecting the attorney’s ability to practice law.

For more severe violations, the committee may opt for suspension, temporarily barring the attorney from practicing law, or disbarment, permanently revoking their legal license. The committee considers the nature of the misconduct, the attorney’s disciplinary history, and any mitigating circumstances when determining the appropriate disciplinary action. In cases involving public figures like district attorneys, the impact of their actions on public trust and the integrity of the legal system is also a factor.