OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – In response to vile comments made by Judge James Troiano in a case involving the alleged rape of an underage girl, including remarks that there was “distinction” between “a sexual assault and a rape”; that the alleged crime did not resemble “the traditional case of rape”; and that the accused perpetrator should not be overly penalized because “this young man comes from a good family,” and “he is clearly a candidate for not just college, but probably for a good college,” Monmouth County Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement:

“The comments made by Judge Troiano are despicable and beyond the pale. They have no place in our courts. Commentary and thinking like Judge Troiano’s cause further pain and suffering for survivors and put the legitimacy and fairness of our judicial system into question.

“Judge Troiano must resign, effective immediately, from any judicial posts he still holds – just based on his commentary and word-for-word thought process by his direct quotes. Situations like these destabilize the public’s trust in our judicial institutions. His comments regarding the accused ‘coming from a good family’ are disgraceful.”