TikToking NJ Judge Suspended for In-Chambers Lip Sync Videos

A judge who posted TikTok videos of himself lip syncing to Rihanna, Miguel, and Busta Rhymes was suspended by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The court ordered Superior Court Judge Gary N. Wilcox off the bench for three months due to a series of videos he released in chambers and from his bed—sometimes wearing his judicial robe—grooving to pop songs or meme-worthy movie clips.

“In all 11 of the videos Respondent posted to TikTok, either the content - e.g., including references to violence, sex, and misogyny - location - i.e., in chambers, in the courthouse, and in a bed - or Respondent’s physical appearance - e.g., wearing his judicial robes and/or partially dressed while lying in bed - were inappropriate and brought disrepute to the Judiciary,” state ethics regulators said in a complaint.

One video portrayed him lip syncing to Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” holding cash and pretending to light a match in his chambers. In another post he’s wearing a “Beavis and Butt-Head” shirt walking through the courthouse to a song that describes a courtroom shooting. In others he lip synced to Rihanna’s “Jump” as she sings about sex, or smiled into the camera while Busta Rhymes rapped about oral sex.

Wilcox entered an agreement, approved Monday, in which he admitted to violating three cannons of judicial conduct governing impropriety, integrity, and making sure their extra-judicial activities don’t dishonor the courts.

He “demonstrated disrespect for the Judiciary and an inability to conform to the high standards of conduct expected of judges,” the complaint said.

The case is In the Matter of Gary N. Wilcox, N.J., No. 089766, suspension order 10/7/24.