Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio’s drivers license has been suspended, and she’ll be back in court for a new hearing on March 3rd.
The suspended judge was in court today, where she was charged with twice trying to defeat the ignition interlock device on her car by having someone else blow into it. Those were on top complaints that she was seen in social media postings with a group of women drinking tequila, and also her encounter with a security guard at the Marketplace Mall, who said she appeared to be intoxicated.
Astacio was formally charged with three delinquencies against her conditional discharge from a drunken driving conviction last year. Defense Attorney Ed Fiandach denied the charges and asked for the hearing.
The interlock incidents reportedly occurred on the morning of January 12th and the evening of January 20th. In both cases, someone else blew into the breathalyzer device which won’t let the judge’s car start if she’s been drinking. The other person then drove for a time before allowing Astacio to take the wheel.
As part of her conditional discharge last year from her drinking and driving conviction, she was supposed to to stay away from alcohol for a year. She has already admitted to twice violating that order.