N.Y. Judiciary Law § 45 – Confidentiality of records

1. Except as hereinafter provided, all complaints, correspondence, commission proceedings and transcripts thereof, other papers and data and records of the commission shall be confidential and shall not be made available to any person except pursuant to section forty-four of this article. The commission and its designated staff personnel shall have access to confidential material in the performance of their powers and duties. If the judge who is the subject of a complaint so requests in writing, copies of the complaint, the transcripts of hearings by the commission thereon, if any, and the dispositive action of the commission with respect to the complaint, such copies with any reference to the identity of any person who did not participate at any such hearing suitably deleted therefrom, except the subject judge or complainant, shall be made available for inspection and copying to the public, or to any person, agency or body designated by such judge.
2. Notwithstanding any provision in this section, the commission, with the consent of the applicant, shall provide the record of any proceeding pursuant to a formal written complaint against an applicant for judicial appointment in which the applicant's misconduct was established, any pending complaint against an applicant, and the record to date of any pending proceeding pursuant to a formal written complaint against an applicant for judicial appointment:
1. (a) to the commission on judicial nomination established by article three-A of this chapter, with respect to applicants for appointment to the court of appeals;
2. (b) to the governor with respect to all applicants whom the governor indicates are under consideration for any judicial appointment; and
3. (c) to the temporary president of the senate and the chairman of the senate judiciary committee with respect to all nominees for judicial appointments which are subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The commission shall respond within fifteen days of a request for the information provided for in this subdivision.