A Lehigh County district judge accused of violating rules of conduct by having a “book of grudges,” among other things, has entered a diversion program to resolve the allegations.
The Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline last month placed Amy Zanelli on judicial diversion and appointed a district judge to counsel and mentor her as part of the program.
Zanelli, who took office in 2022 after serving as a Lehigh County commissioner, is alleged to have used profanity in front of staff; had a “book of grudges” about people she dealt with; kept a sexually explicit calendar in view of her employees; refused to allow a defendant to cross-examine a victim; been unavailable or tardy for work; and been impatient and discourteous during her duties. Her office serves Fountain Hill and west Bethlehem.
Her attorney, Sam Stretton, said even though the program was formally approved, she has “de facto” been in the program for several months while meeting with the mentor, as well as a therapist and psychologist regularly.
“She’s done very well,” he said.
The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board filed the complaint against Zanelli this year. As part of the program, Zanelli will meet with the mentor at least six times by the end of the year. Zanelli will be on a probationary period of one year. Stretton said he anticipates he will ask to terminate that early because of the progress she has made.
The program, Stretton said, gives judges a second chance. Zanelli is in her first term in the role, and it can take a while to adjust, he said.
“I think she’s doing very well in the transition,” he said.
Her mentor, Danielle Travagline, a Monroe County district judge, has been helpful, according to Stretton. They are meeting at least once a month, he said.
Read the judicial misconduct complaint against Lehigh County District Judge Amy Zanelli
In addition to the mentoring, Zanelli must attend continuing education programs, read and study materials and engage in discussion about the issues presented, and try to resolve them with her mentor, according to court documents. Travagline may also observe Zanelli in court as needed.
If she completes the program, no disciplinary action would be needed.
The judicial conduct board alleged the book of grudges had “negative commentary” about people who did business in her court, including describing one local attorney as “Just a D—.” The book was started in November 2023 and she encouraged her staff to make additions, which they did not, according to the complaint. The book was removed from her office in early 2024.
The complaint also alleged she had an “improper demeanor” at a 2022 hearing when she made a defendant sit in the hall after he murmured something under his breath. The defendant, who did not have an attorney in the case, did not have the opportunity to cross-examine the person who testified, the complaint states.
The conduct board also said she was habitually late to proceedings that were scheduled to start at 9 a.m. She would also typically not show up on Fridays, and was absent from her office for two weeks during each of the summer months, the complaint states.
Her alleged lateness and absence caused “extreme inconvenience” and extra work for her staff, who had to reschedule hearings and field complaints from the public about delays in court business.