A retirement party this afternoon for Glenn A. Grant, who is stepping down next week after more than sixteen years as the controversial acting administrative director of the courts, is facing criticism by some judges who are concerned about the optics, including the collection of cash for a gift and the shutdown of some courts during business hours.
Seven sitting Superior Court judges, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said they felt uncomfortable with the arrangements, including being pressured to attend, and in some cases, being forced to reschedule court hearings for those who have been waiting considerable time to make their way through the docket. In one case, a matter was rescheduled for June.
The party is being held at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton from 3-5 PM. Judiciary employees were collecting $20 per person to attend the celebration, which included $10 earmarked for a gift for Grant. The invitation instructed attendees to pay by cash, checks made payable to “cash,” or to transit payment to the personal Venmo count of a court employee, Hayley Clark…