Local Author Of 'Boardwalk Empire' Told To Stay Quiet

The South Jersey author and judge, whose book became the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire", has been muzzled from promoting the book by his bosses in the New Jersey Judiciary.

KYW's David Madden reports Nelson Johnson penned the historical story of Atlantic City's politicians parts of which make up the TV show.

The Atlantic County Superior Court Judge had been doing interviews promoting his book as well as another due to be published in November for about a month; until he got a letter from state Judiciary officials telling him to stop for now.

John Bryans is Johnson's publisher:

"The letter from the court was clear that they wanted to receive the situation and see if his promotional activities violated any part of the code of ethics for judges serving in New Jersey."

For how long he is unable to promote his book is unclear. Bryans is now handling the interviews.

In previous discussions, Johnson made it clear his book discussions had no relation whatsoever to his duties on the bench.