Zoning Board Attorney Harold Cook Accused of Judicial Misconduct

Municipal Court Judge Harold Cook III, who currently serves as the attorney to the Wyckoff Zoning Board, has been charged with judicial misconduct by the New Jersey State Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct.

The complaint, which was filed on May 19, states Cook has been "sued both personally and in his capacity as a member of more than forty limited liability companies in approximately forty-three cases in Superior Court of New Jersey...and the allegations against (Cook) in these various lawsuits include, but are not limited to, breach of fiduciary duty to investors, fraudulent transfer of real property, fraudulent concealment of the financial health of various entities with which (Cook) was/is intrinsically involved, legal malpractice, fraudulent concealment of fraud by third-parties, failure to obtain consent from investors, securities fraud, and default on promissory notes and personal guarantees in the aggregate sum of more than $20 million."

The complaint alleges that failure to disclose his involvement to proper authorities in the multiple lawsuits alone merits judicial misconduct, but goes on to allege that several of his creditors have been awarded monetary judgements against him, totaling $2.7 million dollars. It also claims that creditors have sought to have his wages garnished as a municipal court judge to satisfy creditors.

In the midst of multiple litigations Cook "improperly transferred real property to either family or limited liability companies in an apparent effort to avoid his judgement creditors," the complaint alleges.

Saying he was "surprised" at the charges in the complaint, Mayor Kevin Rooney said Cook would continue in his duties as attorney for the Zoning Board while the judicial complaint plays out.

“Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and until we have some documentation that suggests otherwise, Mr. Cook will remain as the Board’s attorney," Rooney said. "It’s my understanding in speaking with him that the presiding judge in Passaic County has asked him to remain on the bench. So unless those type of things change I’m not looking to make a change at this point."

Saying Cook has been an "excellent land use attorney" for the Wyckoff Zoning Board, Rooney said he's known Cook for years, having served with him on the Zoning Board.

"I know him very well," Rooney said. "I’m surprised at the charges. I don’t know if they have any merit or not. I’m not personally involved with his business so I don’t know what he does in his own business life. I know what he does for our board. He’s represented the board for many many years, 11 of which I served on the board. He was there when I got to the board."

Candace Moody, the counsel for the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct who wrote the complaint, told Patch on Friday that Cook had 20 days from the filing of the complaint to respond and at time hearings could be held to determine what if any penalty Cook would face.