Alvin K. Hellerstein, a senior judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, passed away Wednesday morning in Manhattan, surrounded by family. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Riverside Memorial Chapel.
Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain called Hellerstein a "distinguished jurist" and praised his "energetic and dedicated service" to the court. Swain noted that Hellerstein had served for nearly thirty years, presiding over high‑profile cases that shaped national discourse.
During the past decade, Hellerstein denied former President Donald Trump’s attempts to dismiss his hush‑money conviction, rejecting the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels on grounds of presidential immunity. He also ordered the release of former fixer Michael Cohen, citing a First Amendment violation.
In August, Hellerstein ruled against Maduro’s plea for dismissal of torture charges, insisting the trial would proceed in June. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured in a U.S. military raid in Caracas and faced a narco‑terrorism conspiracy indictment.
Hellerstein’s legacy includes steering dozens of wrongful‑death and property‑damage suits after the 9/11 attacks. He famously rejected a $575‑million settlement in 2010, arguing that victims deserved more than a low‑ball offer. The judge’s hands‑on approach earned praise from many families.
Analisa Torres, a former state judge and a member of an international monitoring delegation for Venezuela’s 2006 presidential election, will now preside over the Maduro case. The court will appoint a new judge to fill Hellerstein’s vacancy in the coming weeks.