TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey judge known for sharing controversial videos on TikTok under a pseudonym has been suspended for three months without pay by the state’s Supreme Court. Gary Wilcox, who serves as a Superior Court judge in Bergen County, faced disciplinary actions after his online activities, which included videos that featured profanity and sexually explicit content, came to light.
Judge Wilcox, operating under the alias “Sal Tortorella,” shared multiple videos where he was seen engaging in behavior unbecoming of a judiciary member. In some instances, he appeared in his judicial robe, while in others, he was filmed partially naked in his home setting. Notably, one video was shot within the court chambers itself, where Wilcox donned a casual “Beavis and Butt-Head” T-shirt.
The content of Wilcox’s videos, which are no longer publicly accessible since the TikTok account’s removal, reportedly included lip-syncing to explicit songs with lyrics that featured aggressive sexual innuendos, graphic language, and references to violence. The songs in question ranged from hits by Rihanna and Busta Rhymes to rap verses that discussed gang violence.
The disciplinary counsel for the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct initiated the complaint that led to Wilcox’s suspension. The complaint conveyed robust concerns about the judge’s decorum, suggesting his actions showcased a lack of respect for the judiciary and demonstrated a significant lapse in judgment.
Supporting the advisory committee’s stance, the New Jersey Supreme Court concluded that Wilcox’s online persona and activities breached several judicial conduct rules. These guidelines are designed to uphold the judiciary’s integrity, mandating judges to avoid impropriety and maintain public confidence in their impartiality and ethical standards.
Despite his attorney’s defense that Wilcox never intended for the videos to be public and was not acting within his official capacities when making them, the court deemed the behavior inappropriate. His lawyer argued that the judge’s actions were unrelated to his judicial duties and were meant to remain private. Moreover, the attorney emphasized that Wilcox did not endorse any controversial messages conveyed in the music he mimicked.
The situation has brought to light the intricate balance public officials must maintain on social media, reflecting broader concerns about privacy, public perceptions, and professional conduct in the digital age. Judge Wilcox is set to return to his duties on the bench on January 8, 2025, following his suspension period. This case serves as a precedent and a stark reminder to other members of the judiciary about the consequences of their actions, both online and offline, on their professional roles and responsibilities.