Family Court jurist who messaged plaintiff mom on swingers app reassigned

Jon Levine
·2 min read
Judge Cynthia Lopez in black robes behind the bench; lopez's profile photos on the 3FUN app; inset, southerland
Judge Cynthia Lopez's profile photos on the 3FUN app.

The Bronx Family Court judge who messaged a plaintiff on a swingers dating app has been reassigned, The Post has learned.

Judge Cynthia Lopez was quietly reshuffled from the child protective division to the juvenile delinquency division, just two weeks after The Post exposed her apparent come-on to a woman whose custody case she was adjudicating.

“She was reassigned,” a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

Judge Cynthia Lopez was exposed by The Post after coming onto a plaintiff on a swingers dating app. latinojudgesassociation.org
Judge Cynthia Lopez was exposed by The Post after coming onto a plaintiff on a swingers dating app. latinojudgesassociation.org

Bronx Family Court Judge Sarah Cooper last week circulated an email noting Lopez’s reassignment.

Recipients included leaders from the city Administration for Children’s Services and the Legal Aid Society of the Bronx, a source said.

Lopez has served on the Bronx Family Court bench since June 2021.

In February, Lopez abruptly recused herself from her role overseeing the child custody case after the plaintiff, Sidney Southerland, publicly accused her on TikTok of seeking her out on the swingers dating app 3Fun.

The Bronx mother of two shared screenshots of the exchange and images of Lopez’ profile, which included an instruction that “guys at the most should be stocky and I the female, prefer males to be somewhat endowed.”

Judge Lopez offered herself up to potential suitors on the swingers app 3Fun. go3fun.co
Judge Lopez offered herself up to potential suitors on the swingers app 3Fun. go3fun.co

The matter was referred to the state Office of Court Administration, which is “reviewing” the issue.

Southerland — who speculated that Lopez was slow-walking her custody case because she was trying to bed her — said she would not be satisfied until Lopez was entirely off the bench.

“I believe after the New York State Office Of Court Administration completes their investigation, Ms. Lopez will be forced to resign as a judge.”

Sidney Southerland said she expected the scandal to ultimately force Judge Lopez off the bench. Courtesy of Sidney Southerland
Sidney Southerland said she expected the scandal to ultimately force Judge Lopez off the bench. Courtesy of Sidney Southerland

Meanwhile, Southerland said she’s been inundated with inquiries on the app.

“Out of 1000 messages, I’ve probably spoken to three normal people. I’m definitely not meeting up with anyone from that app or any other social networks because of the drama. I enjoy the conversations though. People are funny.”

The OCA downplayed Lopez’s move as routine. “Administrative staffing decisions and judicial assignments are made routinely to meet the needs of court operations. At this time Judge Lopez continues to serve in the Bronx Family Court,” said spokesman Al Baker.