An upstate New York judge resigned while under investigation for trying to use his position on the bench to get out of traffic tickets, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct said Monday.

On two occasions in June, when police stopped then-Judge Ian E. Penders of Clarkson Town Court in Monroe County — charging him with a misdemeanor and an unlicensed driving violation — Penders invoked his judicial office to avoid being written a ticket, according to a complaint that spurred the commission's investigation.

Penders, who represented himself in state judicial conduct commission proceedings, resigned in an Oct. 22 letter to Clarkson's town supervisor. He vowed to leave office by Oct. 30.

"It has been a privilege to serve as town justice. Thank you for the opportunity to serve my c

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