An anonymous letter targeting a local judge is being scrutinized by some Republican leaders in Monroe County.

It takes aim at a sitting Monroe County Court judge and allegations about his past.

The leader of Monroe County’s Republican Party and some members of the local media received the letter by mail.

The letter contains a list of allegations against Monroe County Court Judge Sam Valleriani. It alleges five instances of breaking the law, including DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana, and disorderly conduct. 

"Well the letter is out of the blue," said Monroe County Republican Chair Bill Napier. "It's a dirty trick, and, you know, I've reason to believe that some of these things are actually not true, whatsoever.”

Napier says Valleriani has been vetted, and even if some of the allegations are true, he believes they happened when Valleriani was either a teenager or in his early twenties. 

He also says some of these cases are sealed. 

"I think there's something worthy of taking a look at whether or not somebody may have violated the law and broke the confidentiality of the seal," said Napier.

The Honorable Valleriani was elected in 2017 and has presided over some of Rochester’s most recent high-profile cases, including the men arrested in connection with the bomb threat against an Islamic community and a drug case against the man who was jailed for shooting a Rochester cop.

Valleriani’s name is being floated as a possible replacement for State Supreme Court Justice Matthew Rosenbaum, who has declined to accept judgeship amid accusations of misconduct.

"It's the attempt to undermine someone who's exploring and entertaining running for political office and take a preemptive strike against them. And it's unfair and underhanded, and I look at it, and discount it a little bit because it's anonymous and it's cowardly," said Napier. 

Napier says, should Judge Vallariani decide to run for another seat, the Republican Party would be proud to have his name on the ballot.

"Sam Valleriani he is a highly respected member of the bench," said Napier.