Gregory PFA Leads to Six Months in Jail

Photo credit: Daniel T. Ruth

If Jim Gregory is still serious about being Bethlehem's next mayor, he'll have to campaign from jail. He might be spending the next six months there, after a second PFA contempt finding in as many weeks. Judge Leonard Zito, who imposed the sentence, also ordered a psychological evaluation, hinting he might release human services worker on parole once he starts getting help for an obvious mental illness.

Zito also imposed a $300 fine.

This contempt finding, like the one last week, is based on attempts that Gregory made to contact his ex-girlfriend after being served with a temporary Protection From Abuse Act order (PFA). Those orders typically bar all contact, directly or indirectly, even through the Internet.

This indirect contempt conviction relates solely to the events of June 17, when Gregory texted his ex photographs that were taken from what was once their bedroom.On that date, he also sent her two messages via Facebook, through third parties, suggesting that they met up at the Transbridge Quakertown bus stop to the Tropicana casino, to talk.

Gregory denied that he was the person who sent those messages, and it could be anybody. He stated a nephew and Tricia Mezzacappa both have access to his Facebook account, and that one of them did it. He stated he had asked Mezzacappa to stop.

Gregory's ex had earlier stated that only Gregory and she would know about some of the things he was discussing.

Mezzacappa, who missed the earlier PFA entered against Gregory that day, was in and out of the courtroom during the contempt case.

Gregor's ex, a soft-spoken woman, was clearly upset and confused during her testimony, as Gregory repeatedly interrupted with questions. But one of the persons who was asked to transmit his messages to his ex testified. She was not confused at all, and her testimony buried the almost Mensa.

As Judge Zito was imposing his sentence, Deputy Sheriffs wasted no time in slapping cuffs on him for the pep walk to the jail.  

The only person in the room who seemed surprised was Gregory. The night before, he had bragged that his chance of going to jail was "nonexistent," and had predicted his ex might end up there.

As he was marched from the Courtroom, he could not resist violating the PFA one last time."Is this what you wanted" he asked his ex.

"You did it to yourself," she said, breaking down in tears

Judge Zito, who bent over backwards to be fair to Gregory, has himself been the subject of vicious accusations from Gregory and Mezzacappa. She missed Gregory being carted away, but was poised outside of Judge Zito's chambers after it was all over, hoping for a shot at an ex parte communication.

Several Bethlehem police officers, who attended the hearing escorted Gregory's ex and her mother out of the building.