Has Background as Prober: Name Judge State Watchdog

By MIA GOLDBERG

Governor Paterson April 22 announced the appointment of Bronx Supreme Court Justice Joseph Fisch to serve as the state's new Inspector general, effective May 12. Kristine Hamann, who previously held the post, resigned April 10 after being criticized for failing to aggressively look into the misuse of the State Police by the Spitzer administration in an attempt to embarrass Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno.

'Impressive Experience'

"Judge Fisch is one of New York's top jurists and I couldn't be more pleased that a leader of his caliber has decided to take on such a critical watchdog role," the Governor said in a statement. "He brings an impressive mix of legal, law enforcement and government experience."

Justice Fisch, 75, was appointed to the State Supreme Court in 2003, after serving since 1990 as a Justice of the New York State Court of Claims. Prior to that, he spent more than a decade working as a prosecutor in Queens, rising to become Chief Assistant District Attorney, and served as Inspector General for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

He also serves on the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics.

The Inspector General's office is responsible for detecting and investigating allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest and abuse involving state agencies, departments, commissions and authorities headed by appointees of the Governor.

In what became known as "Troopergate," top aides to the Governor had the State Police release records of Senator Bruno's use of state aircraft for business that was primarily political in nature rather than governmental. State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo issued a report lambasting state travel rules as too lax but also criticized Mr. Spitzer's aides for improper conduct concerning the State Police. The scandal weakened Governor Spitzer politically, and after he resigned in March amid revelations that he had patronized prostitutes, it was disclosed that he was aware of the effort to discredit Mr. Bruno.

Justice Fisch began his legal career in 1959 at the New York State Commission of Investigation, which investigates the conduct of public officers. During his 18 years at the Commission, Mr. Fisch served as a Law Assistant, Assistant Counsel, and Deputy Commissioner.

In 1977, he became the First Assistant District Attorney at the Queens DA's Office.