"...PETS, MUCH LESS CHILDREN" 
The state Commission on Judicial Conduct has admonished Broome County Family Court Judge Spero Pines, reports The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin. The commission found that Pines had used sarcastic and angry language to people involved in three different child-custody cases. Said Pines: “I welcomed the commission’s review of my 14-year tenure on the Family Court bench and I understand and accept their criticism of me in the three cases cited. I am pleased that this matter has been concluded and look forward to continuing my service to the people and in particular the children of Broome County.”

As reported by The Bulletin, a sample from Judge Pines’ courtroom transcripts:

Juana Finnerty sought custody of her three children in 2006. Marcos Henderson, the father of the children, was also in Pines’ courtroom. At the time, both Finnerty and Henderson were in jail on grand larceny charges:

Judge Pines: “Well, as far as I’m concerned, both of you are unfit and neither one of you are worthy of any kind of custody. How do you think you’re going to have custody of your kids when you’re both sitting in jail for God knows how long?” 

Finnerty: “But I’m sitting there not guilty of this.”

Judge Pines: “Well, you’re sitting there not guilty; nevertheless you’re sitting there. What do you think, your kids are going to sit there with you?”

“… You’re in no position — neither one of you are in any position to take care of these children. As far as I’m concerned, you’re not in a position to take care of pets, much less children. Get ’em both out of here.”

INVOKING BOSS TWEED
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joan Lobis heard arguments yesterday over whether to hold a judicial inquiry into the City Council funds scandal — while a federal investigation is still going on. The New York Times has the story. Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel is representing eight taxpayers who have sought the inquiry under a rarely used 1873 anti-corruption City Charter. It would not determine guilt or innocence, but rather lay out the facts surrounding the case for public review. Prosecutors say such an inquiry would complicate their investigation of the council’s appropriation of discretionary funds to community groups, and asked for a 90-day window to wrap things up.

NBC SETTLES "PREDATOR" CASE 
Also from The Times comes word that NBC has settled a lawsuit filed by the family of a man who committed suicide when confronted with cameras for the show “To Catch a Predator.” Said NBC spokeswoman Jenny Tartikoff: “The matter has been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.” Over the last 12 months, NBC has broadcast only two new “Predator” shows. “Right now we are working on other investigative stories,” Tartikoff added in an e-mail message. Last year, Walter Weiss, a former detective with the police department that had worked with “Predator,” said: “I understand he took his own life, but I have a feeling that he took his own life when he looked out the door and saw there was a bunch of television cameras outside.”

COP CUTS 
Finally, Newsday reports that Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Paul Baisley has signed off on an agreement sponsored by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy to transfer 13 highway patrol officers from the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. “By July 1, these redeployments will be in effect,” said Levy of his cost-cutting measure. The county faces a $150-million budget shortfall this year and next year. Lawyers for the County Police Benevolent Association had argued that the reduction of officers will threaten traffic safety, and said it appeared that Baisley had made up his mind before hearing oral arguments in the case.