Administration officials say those messages are remarkably similar to the official public admonitions to the hostage-takers.

The commission decided in May that the justice's actions on behalf of the White House and Ms. Miers merited a public admonition, the lightest form of reprimand, which carries no criminal or civil consequences.

That public admonition alone persuaded the administration to draft a revised version in conjunction with the state Financial Control Board, an overseer headed by the Governor.

The judge, Martin Schneier of State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, received a public admonition from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

A censure, which carries no other penalty, is more severe than a public admonition.

"It is not feasible to postpone decision-making, because we will lose the chance for reform," he added, in a public admonition that not long ago would have been unthinkable from such an establishment figure.

To a degree, he is a scapegoat, since the commander is not available for public admonition, and Mr. Mori is left to do the American's work.

At that point, the commission may dismiss the complaint or may issue a private or public admonition, warning or reprimand.

The justice, Nathan L. Hecht, 57, who is running for re-election, had received a public admonition, the mildest form of sanction, from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

With a final few pats to his hand, an oblique apology for her public admonition, she withdrew from his grasp, moving past him toward Killashandra.