Albany, New York - Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may be in trouble after a New York judge ruled he had falsely claimed to be an Empire State resident on nominating petitions, imperiling his access to the November ballot.

State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba determined there was "clear and convincing evidence" that Kennedy's place of residence according to election law is a not an apartment he rents in Katonah, New York, as listed on his ballot access petition, but rather the California home he shares with his wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines.

The 34-page ruling came after a lawsuit, filed by the Democratic-aligned Clear Choice super PAC, accused the 70-year-old of carrying out a years-long "sham" to enable him to continue voting and pursuing his political ambitions in New York.

Kennedy had testified in court that he rents a spare bedroom in Katonah and that he intends to move back to New York, where he is registered to vote. He said he has only slept in the room once since he first started renting it around May 2023.

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The owner of the rented room told the court that Kennedy pays her $500 a month but said there was no written lease. Another friend said Kennedy has regularly stayed overnight at his Westchester home but testified that he was not a tenant.

"Using a friend’s address for political and voting purposes, while barely stepping foot on the premises, does not equate to residency under the Election Law," Ryba wrote.

The justice's decision may enable lawsuits challenging Kennedy's ballot access in other states where his campaign listed the New York address.

Kennedy was quick to condemn the Monday decision.

"The Democrats are showing contempt for democracy," the White House contender said in a press statement. "They aren’t confident they can win at the ballot box, so they are trying to stop voters from having a choice. We will appeal and we will win."

"This case is an assault on New York voters who signed in record numbers to place me on their ballot. The DNC has become a party that uses lawfare in place of the democratic election process."

The Kennedy campaign has announced it will appeal Ryba's ruling and that they are confident of an ultimate victory in the case.