Now in jail pending a hearing Thursday, Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio has responded by firing her lawyer.
The Democrat and Chronicle and other media say they found out from Attorney Ed Fiandach that he was dismissed, the word coming in a text message sent by Astacio’s sister late Monday night. He found out when he looked at his phone first thing this morning.
On Monday Astacio was arrested when she reported to court as ordered by the Chief Administrative Judge. A bench warrant was issued for her after she missed a court appearance last week. It turned out she was in Thailand and had been there the entire month of May without notifying the court or her superiors.
Judge Astacio faces a hearing Thursday on whether she violated the terms of the conditional discharge of her drunken driving conviction, which requires her to undergo random alcohol testing. She rejected a plea bargain that would have required her to spend 45 days in jail followed by two years of probation with an ankle bracelet.