(1) Maintaining a "Book of Grudges" about individuals who appeared before her, including a lawyer she referred to as "Just a Dick."
(2) Maintaining a desk calendar with explicit sexual messages like "Bedroom Pants He'll Have to Slide Through If He Wants That Pussy."
(3) Denying a Defendant his Constitutional right to hear the evidence against him or to cross-examine the victim.
(4) Rude behavior to a county employee: "I am the judge, and you are just the fucking secretary." She also used profanity such as "cuntrageous" in courtroom settings.
(5) Numerous late arrivals and absences, which obviously denies litigants the right to a prompt disposition.
(6) Conducting Zoom hearings without authorization.
Zanelli is represented by Sam Stretton, the go-to lawyer for lawyers and judges accused of ethical or judicial misconduct. Instead of addressing these accusations on the merits, Attorney Stretton has filed a petition that would place her in what is known as a "diversionary program." But as he himself concedes, nothing in the Rules of Procedure for Judicial Discipline establish such a program. The program envisioned, I imagine, is similar to accelerated rehabilitative dispositions for first offenders accused on minor crimes.
In this petition, filed January 29, Stretton states that a psychiatrist retained by the Judicial Conduct Board has examined Zanelli and identified "certain issues be addressed" in any course of treatment. Based on that report, Zanelli has been seeing a psychologist who will testify that she has been making "excellent progress." He avers that she's a prime candidate for diversion and wants a hearing to make his case.
Strangely, he denies that she has a mental health disability. I believe his own petition suggests otherwise.
In the meantime, Zanelli has been sued in federal court by Francis Oran, who alleges that he appeared before her on several driving suspension cases and was found guilty even though the state court that imposed this suspension ultimately reversed itself. He also claims that she imposed fines without conducting required ability-to-pay hearings. He contends his "experience was not the result of isolated judicial error but reflects a systemic pattern of unconstitutional conduct toward unrepresented litigants ... ." Unfortunately for Oran, he remains unrepresented in his federal lawsuit.
Stretton's petition for some kind of diversionary treatment is novel, but I suggest that she needs to step down while she gets whatever treatment she needs. I've been covering her for years, and while I'm no shrink, I can categorically state that she's cuckoo for cocoa puffs and has been for some time. I've been warning you about her since 2105 with these stories:
Finnigan Henpecked Over Hanover Fowl Ban (She appeared before Hanover's Board of Supervisors, seeking a change in a ban on backyard chickens. There's nothing unusual about that, but what was totally bizarre to me was that she insisted on flashing her badge as a NorCo Human Services caseworker..)
Why You Need to Vote For Dennis Pearson For LC Comm'r (In this story about her primary campaign for LC Comm're, I tell you that she was once employed in NJ's Child Protective Services, but was fired in 2012 because she refused to return to work after receiving a number of leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Though she refused to work, she dropped in on her office one day to deliver Avon products to co-workers. Zanelli appealed her termination and lost. She told me she was a victim of discrimination.)
LC Comm'r Race: Candidate Chicken Lady Cries Fowl (In an email to me, before blocking me, Zanelli claimed she had been "exonerated" In Jersey. That is pure horse shit).
>Judicial Candidate Amy Zanelli Supports Looting, Lies About Being Fired (When running for MDJ, Zanelli actually stated that looting was an appropriate response to slavery. Say what? And she also took me to task for pointing out her termination in Jersey and later, in NorCo. She called them "false accusations and fake news. With that said, this would not be the first time in history that an intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful woman has intimidated a man who then feels the need to spread rumors and lies in an attempt to tear her down." The problem with her denial is that her own lawyer actually admitted that she was terminated in Jersey, appealed, and lost her appeal. She was also terminated in NorCo, as per her own lawyer in a custody dispute.)
Zanelli Embellished Her Social Work in Jersey (When running for MDJ, she told a fawning Josh Popichak that her "ability to see things others didn't led me to go into investigative work on a state level for the State of New Jersey. ,,, I specialized in sex crimes and homicides and abuse and neglect for children ... ." She was a caseworker, not Phillip Marlowe. She also claimed she had to move her because she had been targeted by the bad guys).
Amy Zanelli's Nonjudicial Behavior in Custody Trial (While running for MDJ, Zanelli was in the middle of a custody battle. This is how then President Judge Michael J Koury, Jr., characterized her demeanor: "Mother's demeanor varied from happy to openly hostile. ... Mother repeatedly referred to the custody trial as a 'circus.' ... Mother accused opposing counsel of 'play[ing] semantics and stated that her questioning was 'crap.'")
MDJ Candidate Amy Zanelli Kicked Out of Fountain Hill Pool (While running for MDJ, she was ejected from Fountain Hill's Pool for interjecting herself when a manager admonished some unruly teens).
Zanelli Neglected Children in Jersey, But Wants to Be a Judge (Here I append a New Jersey rejection of her appeal from her termination as a caseworker. Incidentally, The Morning Call had this information as well, but refused to publish it. I guess the paper lacked the desire to do its job, which is to cast a glaring spotlight on public officials)
Amy "Karen" Zanelli Detests Three-on-Three Hoops (In August 2019, she summoned police over a group of minors playing three-on-three hoops, with Latin music playing. Police took no action).
Why was Amy Zanelli Fired in Northampton County (She was a probationary caseworker who did not want to work.)
Magisterial District Judge Amy Zanelli Under Investigation By Judicial Conduct Board (This is when I told you, in September '24, that she was under investigation.)
Despite clear evidence that she's a wackadoodle, she was pushed by former LC Exec Tom Muller when she ran for County Comm'r. And that board actually made her their Chair. Then, when she ran for MDJ, she was pushed by outfits like LV4ALL (who agree with us) because she checked the right boxes as a gay woman who supports progressive causes. The dying news media either ignored information handed to them (Morning Call) or drooled over her (Saucon Source).
She was elected in a district that only elects Democrats. That same district just re-elected her successor to LC's Board of Commissioners, Zach Cole-Borgi.
62 comments:
Thank you for the update Bernie, and explaining what the procedural process is. Diversion doesn’t seem likely here, there was a recent ruling about a different judge , Stretton
( great attorney) lost the case and now a new legal precedent called the “ Cohen Precedent “ exists in Pennsylvania State law. It essentially means that if the judge brought any level of disrepute to the judiciary, Diversion is not optional. The precedent sets a standard that an individual judge’s mental health does not weigh more heavily than thr integrity of the whole Judiciary.
I can not imagine the JCB would allow Zanelli a chance to rehabilitate ( especially when there’s so many discrepancies) is she mentally ill or isn’t she???
If not, what are they treating? If so, she has already brought tremendous disrepute to the bench. While there’s a new lawsuit started in the middle of all of this, claiming the same problem procedural and civil rights violations, the Conduct Board would really look weak and possibly corrupt, if they allow her to retain her seat. Her re-electability is shot! She should resign. Her poor kid is already in the spotlight.
She is perfect for tRUMP's DOJ.
I can fix her...
And she's not the worst judge in the area; not even close.
Amazingly, she's even worse in real life than you portray her. It's a disgrace that she isn't quitting after being caught establishing a "Book of Grudges". That is, possibly, the least judicial thing someone can do.
Gotta love the crazy one's.
She was elected in a district that only elects democrats wow must be a lot of assholes their
While I agree that this wacko judge is clearly unfit and needs to step down, my real concern is for those litigants, represented or pro se, who have had their constitutional rights violated.
This magistrate may have been caught, but I can tell you firsthand that such violations happen routinely, here in Northampton County and across the state of Pennsylvania.
These robed violators may not have "grudge books" but they do exhibit a lazy disregard for due process and constitutional rights. Its systemic. The problem is that those who know don't care, and those who care often lack the knowledge and experience to put up a fight.
The sad part is many litigants no longer expect to get a fair shake when going to court. They enter the system knowing judges like Amy Zanelli are peppering our courts and that watching the watchers.
In my experience, a pro se litigant is almost always an impediment. First, he usually knows far less than he thinks he does. Second, he bogs down the system with unnecessary paperwork and motions. Third, he usually has or develops a personal animus for the judges or the entire system. Fourth, courts often bend over so much to help them that it is actually unfair to a represented party. If you can afford it, you should always hire a lawyer. If you can't then you should apply for one.
The feds are a lot stricter than the state with pro se litigants so I expect that Oran's suit will get chucked, not bc it lacks merit, but bc he does not know what he is doing. And it may lack merit, from what I've read.
Having said all of this, I'll agree there are bad judges just as there are bad people in any profession or business. I'm no expert, but Zanelli is in my view mentally ill and I believe it affects her judgment. I'm all for treatment, but she should not be hearing any cases until she is completely recovered.
I believe that voters often just vote the party, not the name, without doing much research. That happens with both parties. When Steve Lynch ran for NorCo Exec, he attracted a lot of R votes, and he was off the hook.
Bernie, I will agree with you in part that many pro se litigants perform terribly. But consider that someone without any actual legal experience will only improve and learn by reading briefs and opinions and, most importantly, actually litigating issues and paying attention what judges say and what they write.
The larger issue I see is that even when a pro se litigant performs well, dotting the i's, crossing the t's, and not overreaching in their arguments, the courts still do not take them seriously.
Why? Because most legal processes take far more time and effort for a pro se litigant. These judges know that they can play fast and loose with the law because the chance of a pro se making some procedural error, missing a deadline, or failing to know or understand one the many applicable procedural rules is very very very high. Knowing these simple truths makes it easy to take the lazy approach to law and simply disregard valid claims and legal issues.
Would!
There’s no recovery from what ails this judge.
As Bernie said good and bad people in all professions. A jump to mental illness is always the default however from the limited knowledge we have from your posts she seems to be just a not very nice person with little morality...representing the bench is an issue and hope she resigns and works on being a better person,
Hahaha, you think so, but no. Several genuinely good people have tried to help her. She’s a lost cause, moreover behaving in ways that destroys her kid’s future as well.
They should all be reported, clean up the judiciary!
There are no diversionary programs in the PA Court of Judicial Conduct or the Supreme Court Disciplinary Board. I am not sure how they expect to give her something that doesn't exist. Her Lawyer should be asking for a reprimand with probation and CLE requirements, as that is the VERY BEST he can hope for.
AQs long as Trump is pissing you off, we are Happy especially you Bernie.
She is not very cute irl, sorry to burst your bubble.
Despite her decisions and courtroom demeanor, she has absolute immunity for her decisions as a judge, and this pro se case has no merit. What does have merit is removing her as a judge, since he can't be trusted with absolute immunity.
This is so cuntrageous
Well, I read this full post and learned a new word from Amy today. It keeps up my streak of learning something new every day. Can you guess which word?
Butt cheeks
As usual, we appreciate your cuntastic reporting on the cuntrageous behaviors of the female Donald Trump.
Real assholes are the Rs that don't know the difference between there, their and they're.
Recraplickdickican?
When I first heard of her "book of grudges" it reminded me of for Attorney General Kathleen Kane and her phrase, "Revenge is a dish best served cold".
This means that retaliation is more satisfying and effective when planned and executed after time has passed, rather than in the heat of passion. It suggests that waiting allows for a more strategic, calculated approach rather than an immediate, emotional reaction.
A person with judicial power and an officer of the Court is supposed to be fair and balanced. She already violated so many ethical violations and most likely violated the rights of common citizens, justified or not. The ends d8es not justify the means.
Absolute immunity is not actually "absolute". It only applies when a judge is engaged in activities that fall within the powers of a judge.
For instance, if a judge attempted to charge a person with a new crime other than direct criminal contempt in the middle of a hearing, that judge would not have immunity for that act, since the judicial branch does not possess such powers.
There MAY be a case here that this magistrate acted outside of legitimate judicial powers. If so, she forfeits her immunity.
Thank you for the insight, Bernie. Many of us recognized from the start that this individual was a disaster in the making. Despite clear evidence of her unethical history at two different Children and Youth departments, she still managed to slip through the cracks. It’s frustrating that organizations like LV4ALL, LVROAR, and The Morning Call provided her cover despite knowing her past. She defeated a highly qualified candidate with an impeccable record simply because the political machine was pulling the strings.
Similarly, Zach Borghi—another inexperienced product of that same machine—is now facing significant prison time. Both individuals are an embarrassment to Bethlehem and Lehigh County. Until 'we the people' wake up and stop validating groups like LV4ALL and LVROAR, this cycle of failed representation will only continue.
TDS at it's finest. Can you even read the article before making an ignorant comment that literally has nothing to do with this particular post🤡
@7:06 What are you 10 years old? Leave Mommy's basement and touch grass.
Truly pathetic. Put Josh Siegel in that group as well although he's just a liar but still.
Take your meds lunatic.
Real assholes are losers like you who can't even converse intelligently and babble like a demented circus monkey
Totally agree BOH. Common sense left the room a long time ago. There will always be people who vote strictly by party for horrible candidates but it's so much worse now.
I know of people who have not shown up for their hearings because of her, get found guilty in absentia so they can appeal and be heard in front of real Judges at the County level rather then go in front of her!
To 415: Wow, calling me a lunatic while your cuntrageous meltdown is in full swing? I’m cuntfounded by the projection. Maybe take your own advice and chill out before your cuntagious bitterness spreads any further through your cuntemptible vibes. You are a cuntributor to the drama and at risk of adding to the cuntroversy and cuntfusion.
My name was mentioned in connection with Judge Zanelli’s 2017 race for Lehigh County Commissioner in which she won in a three-way race in the Democratic Party and defeated Robert Smith the Republican in the General election. But my election outcome had nothing to do with her or anyone else’s controversies. My wife and I had a simple agreement: if I won, she would move into the district; if I lost, I would move to be with her. I lost, so I kept my word. In that sense, I consider myself ‘voted out of district’ and I’m at peace with it.
Just the same, her main supporters were LV4All, a progressive group, and the Bethlehem Democratic Committee wanted a Bethlehem resident to be elected ... And two of them were running the Democratic primary.
Officially I moved to East Penn Township after the General election in 2017. In 2019 I was elected Township Supervisor in East Penn Township, Carbon County for a 4-year term by Write-in. In that race I was actually on the ballot for the 6-year race won by the candidate who was appointed to the 4-year seat but didn't run for it ..So, as it happened most people voted for him for the 6-yeart seat and enough people voted for me to claim the 4-year seat. I was re‑elected for a 6-year term in 2023, in a race that had to be counted manually because of a ballot foul up. The ballot said that the voter could only vote for one candidate ... The fact is they could vote for two ... And in that race was a last-minute write in candidate whose strategy was to get Republicans to vote for her as their 2nd choice and Get Democrats to vote for her as their 2nd choice as well ... That would be candidate was mad at me when she noticed that I was not mentioning her name when people asked me who also was on the ballot, ... The fact is, I didn't have to mention her name as she was not on the ballot and was not officially known as a candidate by the County. My current term runs through 2029 and at the age of 82 during that year I don't expect to run again ... But who knows that may not be my final answer... But truly in that year people of a younger age holding some common sense and wisdom should run for that office. So far in my tenure the Township has not raised the property tax and we are in process of updating our ordinances to meet the expect economic development plans for the future.
Thank you for your service.
How much more? What else do you need to read or hear? Does the mind not object to complete nonsense? However….that part of Bethlehem does have its bizarre quirks.
Her lawyer has been personally informed of illegal activities she’s committed, while he’s been defending her, he has a spectacular record and tremendous career. I’m not sure why he would risk it on someone he’s been directly informed of as a very disturbed and potentially dangerous person.
Maybe Bernie will allow this one since apparently only certain insults are allowed -CU next Tuesday!!
She was never an employee of New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.
Your lifetime of community service is greatly appreciated. You are a wonderful example of civic commitment.
Thank you, sir.
As long as Josh Popichak supports Amy I will support Amy.
Solidarity with all GLBTQ Plus alphabet people.
United We Stand!
She’s a misogynist who has very narrow views of how the LGBT community behaves. She is openly averse to gay men, and insists that gay women identify as only lesbians. She detests masculine women, and mocks their appearance. You’re backing the wrong bigot.
Spot on, she’s as delusional and unhinged as DJT, she hates and violates women at every opportunity. If she gains more power she’ll hurt more people, and women in particular are her target, out of the courtroom. In the courtroom she’s a “ feminist “ who kicks males out of their own hearings, and prevents them from defense or cross examination. The analogy is extremely accurate, “she’s a grab em by the kitty kind of gal.”
The comment is astonishingly accurate, stop the flying monkey crap, she’ll discard you soon enough.
Siegel is more than just a liar, he is a stone narcissist and a seriously unhinged human being.
LV4All and LVROAR are dangerously wacky groups bordering on cults.
@5:59
She’s the perfect DJ for LV4All (who agree) and ROARLV.
Absolutely perfect!
@11:2This thoroughly unattractive wacka doodle is 100 Democrat.
There is a concerted effort amongst the women she has injured in this community. They will rise up, with receipts, and the charges will be criminal. Let’s see if the judiciary gets it right and removes her, because if not, she’s facing a completely different set of punishable crimes against women!
11:21
You just hate beautiful strong women.
She loves Josh Popichak and he loves her so your point about her bias against homosexuality men is a dog that don’t hunt.
Josh Popichak, Josh Siegel and Judge Amy are three of the personalities that bring a much needed perspective to the Lehigh Valley scene.
God bless these progressive voices in the Valley and God bless the NorCo, Bethlehem and Lehigh County Democratic Party apparatus.
Thank you LV4ALL and ROARLV.
@12:21
Please, the Ls don’t particularly care for the G’s and the feeling is mutual.
They go to different parties and watering holes. The Bs have the whole world as their oyster and aren’t seen as authentic by either the L’s or the G’s. Most of the T’s, not all, most, are suffering from a social contagion and don’t do much to legitimize the rest of the alphabet community. The Q’s are simply a fringe political group that has found a place in the new Progressive Liberal Democratic Party coalition.
Say it loud and say it proud!
I’m a looney Q and I demand attention!!!!
In what universe is this human being even remotely attractive on any level?
United we stand huh? This is what United the LGBTQ constituents? Gross, intracommunity discrimination, divisive, hypocritical and in direct opposition to the movement. Pat yourself on the back for breeding hate.
Little minds, smaller hearts, let’s all fit in tight little pre-k sandboxes. I pity your smallness.
Now, not saying it’s right, however, it may be quite acceptable in some parts of the county.
OU812?
Hey, @1:34, why is Josh, who has a strong platform staying quiet? Why are the endorsers staying silent?? Where’s the protection of their golden child? You do understand, right? They are distancing themselves as far as possible and looking for a new 2027 candidate who doesn’t embarrass the Democrats in this profound way. Idolatry is a form of brainwashing, so sorry this happened to you.
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