A Lehigh County judge faces disciplinary charges after her “Book of Grudges” and a sexually explicit calendar became the sources of complaints.
The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board took action against Magistrate Judge Amy Zanelli, who is also accused of improper demeanor toward a defendant who was representing himself but was banished to the hallway.
Other gripes about Zanelli include excessive tardiness and absences. She was elected in 2021 to her spot on the bench, which handles lower-level civil matters and some proceedings in criminal cases.
The first part of the JCB’s complaint details the Book of Grudges, which “had the appearance of an ancient leatherbound tome with papyrus pages,” it says. The first entry was Nov. 22, 2023.
“Of the notes that were decipherable, MDJ Zanelli described a local attorney as ‘Just a D**k,’ and she made notes that were critical of another person who appeared before her in landlord-tenant matters,” the complaint says.
The Book of Grudges was open to all staff who wished to record their complaints and was placed in a common area. It was removed in early 2024, though a desk calendar previously ruffled feathers with jokes inappropriate for the workplace, the complaint says.
One said, “Bedroom Plants He’ll Have to Slice Through With a Machete If He Wants That P***y.”
She took it down in 2022. In the courtroom, her behavior toward others was disrespectful, the complaint says. Bruce Jackson was representing himself when he murmured under his breath while the victim testified against him.
She told Jackson to leave the courtroom and wait in the hallway, then carried a chair to him.
“The defendant asked MDJ Zanelli how he was supposed to hear the proceedings,” the complaint says. “MDJ Zanelli told the defendant that he would be able to hear from the hallway.
“MDJ Zanelli then shut the door to the courtroom.” She also didn’t allow Jackson to cross-examine the victim and found him guilty.
A court employee says in 2022 she tried to get Zanelli’s attention to whisper a correction regarding sentence.
“I am the judge and you are just a f***ing secretary!” Zanelli said, according to the complaint.
In addition to being foul-mouthed, Zanelli was habitually 20-30 minutes late for court proceedings, the complaint says. She missed Fridays and was unavailable when supposedly on call, it adds.
“MDJ Zanelli’s habitual lateness, compounded by her preferred absences from court, has caused extreme inconvenience and extra work for her judicial staff in that they were required to reschedule hearings and to notify parties of the rescheduled hearings,” the complaint says.
