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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, February 17, 2020

Judge Dumbass, Mrs Dumbass and the Gadfly

Judge Dumbass
On Friday, in a story called Nick Englesson, Dumbass, I first told you about Nick's attempt to magnify a routine traffic stop into a case of  racially profiling a Puerto Rican. I attributed this to his own hypersensitivity when it comes to all things Latin. He has always loved Latin culture, speaks Spanish fluently, and recently married Bethlehem City Council member Olga Negron, who herself is Puerto Rican. He's in love. I now think there's a lot more to this story. Whatever motive Judge Dumbass might originally have had, Mrs. Dumbass would like to politicize it. You see, she'd like to be Mayor Dumbass. That's why Judge and Mrs. Dumbass have widely circulated numerous copies of his Epistles to the Gringos. It's why Gadfly, a hopefully unwitting Bethlehem blogger, has been attempting to whip up a public frenzy with six seven posts (so far) on this topic. It's why Mrs. Dumbass is now recruiting people, of course in Spanish only, to fill a Council meeting to complain about those policía racista.

Gadfly began these insinuations last week, with heavily redacted versions of various exchanges over a minor traffic stop. What happened is a matter of public record, so there's no reason to redact anything. Yet Gadfly, in what appears to be an attempt to protect both Judge and Mrs. Dumbass, deleted 38 lines of text from Nick Englesson's First Letter to the Gringos. According to Gadfly, they "do not directly bear on the dispute at hand." That's bullshit. They are directly relevant because they show (1) the connection between Judge Dumbass and his City Council member wife, a point Gadfly would apparently prefer you not know; and (2) a very public bias against Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio, whom Judge Dumbass calls both "petty and vindictive." This is in addition to his obvious Latin bias and admitted bias in favor of Bethlehem's constabulary. Here are links to the unredacted exchanges, which are floating around everywhere:

Police Chief DiLuzio's Complaint About Judge Dumbass

Affidavit of Probable Cause

Judge Dumbass' First Letter to the Gringos

Judge Dumbass' Second Letter to the Gringos

Gadfly, of course, is dutifully horrified. In numerous posts about this topic, he hints that Bethlehem police are guilty of racial profiling, police brutality and lying in an Affidavit of Probable Cause. He's certainly doing his part to stir the pot. He claims "Good conversation builds community" while doing his best to divide it.

In the meantime, Mrs. Dumbass, who would like to be Mayor Dumbass, is actively looking for complaints from others. Just as Donald Trump has benefited from the politics of division, so is she. Instead of illegal immigrants, her bogeymen are Bethlehem's policía racista. Right before blocking me from Facebook on Friday, she posted this:


Then she hopped on my blog to warn me, anonymously of course, "You just started a war and opened up a firestorm. The Ides of March are coming. March 3rd to be exact. If you spoke spanish, maybe you would have known that by now."

To be exact, Olga, the Ides of March is on March 15. Mrs. Dumbass probably never got that far at Austin Community College.

By the by, isn't it just a tad bit "racist" for Negron to use her City Council perch to solicit stories from the citizens of Bethlehem in Spanish only? I could tell her, in English, Spanish and even French, that a cop gave me a dirty look the other day. Or he may have had gas.

And why must replies go to her email address at a lawfirm that specializes in representing Plaintiffs? Does she get a commission?

In his First Letter to the Gringos, Judge Dumbass insists there's "a sturdy firewall between my duties as a judge, and her political activities." Well, that's obviously untrue.

We all know that if there were a real problem, there'd be no need to prod anyone.

There isn't, and frankly, an attempt to manufacture stories will almost certainly backfire.

Pennsylvania's Latin population is 1 million strong and growing, especially along the 222 Corridor. But in Bethlehem, a large Spanish-speaking population has existed for generations. Mexican-Americans and later, Puerto Ricans, were first attracted here by The Bethlehem Steel. Today, according to DataUSA, the 75,000 people who live in Bethlehem are 60.1% white, 28.5% Hispanic and 5.9% black or African American.  Two City Council members are Latin. City employees, including cops and other first responders, are Latin.

If the Latin community were being preyed upon by Bethlehem police, as Judge Dumbass, Gadfly  and Mrs. Dumbass would like you to think, this would be borne out by the data. But the opposite is the case. Of 2,146 criminal cases processed in Northampton County in 2018, 76% were against white Defendants. In Lehigh County, of 3,061 criminal cases prosecuted, 72% were against white people. (Source: Pa. Commission on Sentencing (2018)).

Here's what we do know.

- Matthew Ragusa, the officer accused of racial profiling and who Judge Dumbass wants disciplined, has been a Bethlehem cop since 2015.  He is experienced. Not long ago, he showed incredible restraint when arresting a woman named Stacie Coronado outside a social club, even though she punched him in the face and kicked him in the chest with high-heeled boots. He has a tough and dangerous job. Coronado would later plead guilty to simple assault.

- Judge Dumbass, in both of his Letter to the Gringos, has shown a clear pro-Latin bias. His warnings of "civil unrest" are improper from a judge and the product of an overactive imagination.

- Judge Dumbass has admitted a "special affinity for the Bethlehem Police Department"..."I have come to regard the Bethlehem Police Department as the finest around" ... "I do my best to counsel officers on how to present testimony, how to introduce evidence, and how to deal with objections from defense counsel ... "I have never embarrassed an officer in open court, and never turned in an officer for making a mistake." ... "I also am accommodating to officers when they are running late or have some other issue." How can Defendants, unless they are Latin, expect a fair shake from such a Dumbass? This is bias.

- Judge Dumbass admits to discussing Nuria DiLuzio's race for DA with her, and to have assured her she would be a "shoo-in." He simultaneously demeans her as "petty and vindictive" in a letter that made its way to numerous people, including each and every member of Bethlehem City Council. How can her clients, unless they are Latin, expect a fair shake from such a Dumbass? This is bias.

- Despite Judge Dumbass'  insistence on a "sturdy firewall" between what he and Mrs. Dumbass does, it's very clear she intends to manufacture claims against Bethlehem's policía racista, which she thinks will make her Mayor Dumbass.

I expect Judge Dumbass will soon be receiving inquiries, not from me, but the Judicial Conduct Board.

And Gadly, you were played.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

God Bless Nick and Olga

Anonymous said...

And IF the police are on the level there will be no cases for anyone to complain about.
it is a little hard to just invent a stop by the po po as they would have conflicts with plenty of other records.
The police can releases their stats on stops by race and usually the numbers show a pattern.
if the police are not recording race maybe they should start.
some police work with the community and some act like an occupying army.
The police should be able to settle the issue with facts instead of just allegations by rabble-rousers

Anonymous said...

I'm a Latino. French, to be more precise, with a touch of Romanian. I'm purebred Latin. What's with Spanish speakers appropriating my culture, exclusively? This is the same mentality that thinks the Ides of March is March 3. Latin? Read Roman (Latin) history, you brainless cipher.

Trump did more in his first hour in office to improve the lives of Bethlehem's "Latin" population, than these racist pretenders have done for "their" community their entire, miserable, divisive, hateful, racist lives. Old racists eventually grow old and die and go to hell. Only then, do future generations have a chance to repair what these bigots have worked a lifetime to destroy.

Anonymous said...

My definition of a racist is someone who sees a racial injustice everywhere he/she looks. Every person, every action is passed through a prism FIRST to find some ‘real’ motive behind what individuals say and do. For the race obsessed, the ultimate test of acceptability. Later, a WEAPON, easily drawn.

Fortunately, the effectiveness of this tactic is wearing off more each day. It’s boring.




Anonymous said...

So by your definition of racist, racism really isn't a thing? It doesn't exist? Anywhere?

Anonymous said...

Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio IS a "petty and vindictive" B----! One minute she talks to you the next minute she doesn't.

Jack Mehoff said...

Grubb for Mayor

Anonymous said...

These individuals that serve in the minor judiciary are supposed to have a background that is pearly white. They are supposed to be free of any bias and prejudice. Nick just doesn't cut it.

Anonymous said...

6:50 - of course racism exists in varying degree within everyone. Humans are discriminating beings. We have the capacity to CHOOSE.

My problem is with people who see skin color first in everything. That is the obsession I resent in people. I understand, for some, it’s just virtue signaling. Or, maybe, they can’t really defend their dislike of another person. A person they never even spent one minute together with! Just a weak, silly response intended to shut down discussion. Yes, that’s boring and not at all appealing to me.

We see this behavior on this blog most every day. Sad.

Anonymous said...

Gadfly is no innocent pawn in this. He knows exactly what he is doing. He is beholden to Paige and Olga and goes out of his way to help them make their points. He often posts issues prior to a council meeting that they address at council meetings. He is their private blogger.

Bernie O'Hare said...

8:18, perhaps he is discussing topics already on the agenda. I do that, too.

Anonymous said...

IS the judge practicing "Reverse Racism"? I would not vote for him I do not like tex mex or tacos...gives me the poops... maybe Nick likes poops?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Gadfly is no innocent pawn in this. He knows exactly what he is doing. He is beholden to Paige and Olga and goes out of his way to help them make their points. "

This may or may not be true. I will say that I appreciate the insights he provides about Bethlehem. Although our styles are completely different, I know better than most how time-consuming and thankless blogging about local matters can be. So while I am critical of Gadfly's attempt to magnify a problem, I appreciate his service to the community.

Anonymous said...

Bernie. Sure you realize this is true with all the stories and comments over the last couple years? How's Melissa doing? They can't even stand each other.
--------------------

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chief Public Defender Nuria DiLuzio IS a "petty and vindictive" B----! One minute she talks to you the next minute she doesn't.

February 17, 2020 at 7:04 AM

Bernie O'Hare said...

"These individuals that serve in the minor judiciary are supposed to have a background that is pearly white. They are supposed to be free of any bias and prejudice. Nick just doesn't cut it."

He is subject to and has violated the rules of conduct set forth for magisterial district judges. Based on his very public statements, the following could happen: (1) Bethlehem PD could ask him to recuse himself from every case they file; (2) The PD's office could file a motion seeking his recusal in every case involving them; (3) Any defense lawyer could seek his recusal in any case involving Bethlehem's police department.

I have heard of and seen people develop very high opinions of themselves once they become judges. This is the first time I've seen it with a magisterial district judge. Nick was always a guy who could laugh at himself, but after reading his Letters to the Gringos, I have to wonder what the hell happened to him. His best course of action now would be apologies to those he attacked.

Bernie O'Hare said...

9:00 am, It is one thing for me, as a blogger, to slam Nuria during an election. But I do not sit in judgment of cases in which she's involved. A judge who publicly calls the Chief Public Defender "petty and vindictive" is very clearly biased. It's why her office must get a court reporter for every case in which he's involved. I would seek to have him disqualified. County taxpayers have to pay for a court reporter. I would rather see the state pay for another judge.

Anonymous said...

This Mini Judge (district Magistrate) needs to be removed from office, clearly he can not fulfill his oath

This shit stirring City Council Woman needs to resign, clearly she can't think

Anonymous said...

Olga is always trying to divide the City. In her eyes , It's always the South Side hispanics vs. the rest of the City. If she runs for Mayor and wins, Bethlehem is in big trouble! She couldn't keep a job for 8 years, now she solicits questionable workman comp claims for his law firm.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Bernie for pointing out that Mexicans were here first. My family was one of the first to come to Bethlehem in the 20s. It used to bother my late father that it sometime got overlooked.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Mexican-Americans came here in 1923, and were brought in by Bethlehem Steel. Your family has a long and proud history in Bethlehem.
https://hsp.org/education/unit-plans/mexican-labor-at-bethlehem-steel

Anonymous said...

Having an "affinity" or being sympathetic to the job police have is judicial bias? LOL

Bernie O'Hare said...

No, but tutoring them about impending cases is, as is granting continuances when an officer fails to show up for a hearing, as is a "special affinity" etc.

Years ago, my Dad was trying a case and was objecting successfully to a DA who was attempting to get the results of a breathalyzer into evidence. The case broke for lunch Before going back into the courtroom, my Dad visited the law library to check out the advance sheets and there the judge was, teaching the DA how to introduce the results. My Dad went ballistic, and while he made no complaint to the judicial conduct board, he made sure he put everything on the record, and the evidence was never introduced.

That judge would later take everything out on me precisely bc he was biased.

Nick is clearly biased in favor of BPD and has admitted it, unless a Latin is the Defendant. he should consider resigning.

Anonymous said...

10:28 am: Are you accusing this judge of those ethical violations? Do you know something that hasn't been blogged or reported?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Judge Dumbass has admitted it. Read his own damn letters.

Anonymous said...

I'm not trying to belittle the contributions Puerto Ricans made it's just the Mexican community gets overlooked. Yes my grandfather worked in the blast furnace. There is also a Spaniard community as well in Bethlehem. One of those is Pete Carril the famous basketball coach for Princeton.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Advising a cop not to make the same mistake in future hearings is not advising on "impending" cases, or the same as your example of a judge, in mid-hearing, offering advice on how to better try a case or get evidence admitted. He admitted no such thing.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He did not admit to helping in a pending case, but bragged that he has provided help for impending cases, which is unethical. He is not there to teach the cops.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I deleted two anonymous comments that just personally attack me and offer nothing to the topic.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"There is also a Spaniard community as well in Bethlehem. One of those is Pete Carril the famous basketball coach for Princeton."

I was unaware of this, but know of a Portugese community. It's how I was first introduced to paella.

Carril is a Liberty and Lafayette grad.

Anonymous said...

Yes not as big as the Portuguese community but they were there. If you go to Holy Infancy Church one of the stained glass windows were dedicated to the Mexican, Portuguese, and Spanish members of the parish.

Anonymous said...

Unless your native tongue is the Lenape dialect of the Algonquian language, there ain't none of us that can claim to have been here first.

February 17, 2020 at 1:09 PM

PLEASE shut up an go away

Anonymous said...

The only Dumbass in this conversation is you Bernie O'Hare who are disbarred and a disgrace to the legal profession.Quit spewing your hatred throughout the county.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The only Dumbass in this conversation is you Bernie O'Hare who are disbarred and a disgrace to the legal profession.Quit spewing your hatred throughout the county.

February 17, 2020 at 2:14 PM

I disagree, i think these fake mini judges should be knocked down a notch or two, and with no local newspapers around any longer, who is supposed to tell us when we have a rouge fake Judge

Anonymous said...

A Puerto Rican gets pulled over for running a stop sign and Olga is trying to round up the troops like a couple weeks ago. Meanwhile a man hung himself in City Hall back in September and no one was told for months until the press broke the news in late January, Olga didn't say a word about that. Hypocrite!

Anonymous said...

Olga didn't say a word about that. Hypocrite!

February 17, 2020 at 2:46 PM

NewsFlash it was a white guy that hung himself why would she care?

Peterjcochran said...

I’m famous,Bernie is delighted to delight my comments about a 4/A and possibility 14/A violation in this case . When the Communists Governments wanted to control “free speech” or our 1/A they just shot people.I just gave a 45 minutes of discussion to A criminal justice class at NCCC an 4/A and 14th /A dissertation. So I’m done .I don’t want anybody with a AR coming after me as I’m defenseless .

Peterjcochran said...

There is probably no evidence of any mention health issues of the Judge or his other half. I personally have been around , made arrests ,put in handcuffs PR in this area . Most were not aggressively combative. All you have to be when making an arrest ,is a bit respectful of their couture. I would go to PR and visit my friend that was the PR Army National Guard Sargent Major. Believe me we were friends beyond any of most of your -what you think are your friends.PR citizens are Americans. So we got them during Spanish and American War.

An Island. Surrounded by big water. said...

PR citizens are Americans.

Are they? Donald doesn't seem to think so. Did he finally meet with their President, as he promised he would?

Anonymous said...

Yuck

Anonymous said...

YES!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:49 said:

"Are they? Donald doesn't seem to think so. Did he finally meet with their President, as he promised he would?"


Stop making stuff up.

Puerto Rico is a US Territory, so Donald Trump is the President of Puerto Rico, just like he is our President here in Pennsylvania. PR doesn't have any other President.

Thanks Anon 6:49 - It's great to see that the judge and councilwoman aren't the only dumbasses.

Anonymous said...

Also 6:49 was it there president that stored all the essentials from America's big island that lapresidenta was going to sell on the black market to his people in need of food and water that POTUS elheffie Trump.

Anonymous said...

"Read Roman (Latin) history, you brainless cipher."

i like you