Lehigh Valley Ramblings

MDJ Amy Zanelli Formally Seeks "Diversionary Treatment" For Alleged Judicial Misconduct

2026-04-09T00:00:00.004-04:00

Pennsylvania's Judicial Conduct Board filed a complaint in January against Amy Zanelli, Magisterial District Judge in West Bethlehem and Fountain Hill. Numerous infractions of the Code of Judicial Conduct are alleged.

These include the following:

(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.

Trump Blinks ... Again

2026-04-08T00:00:00.003-04:00

"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Shakespeare never met Donald Trump but obviously knows the type. Once again, after days of apocalyptic rhetoric, Trump has blinked and agreed to a two -week ceasefire during which Iran's armed forces will actually facilitate passage through the Strait if Hormuz "with due consideration of technical limitation." That sounds pretty much to me like a toll booth, something that never existed until Trump began shooting off his mouth and Hegseth started to bray "no quarter, no mercy"

Even Ahab, one of Israel's worst kings, once remarked, "Let not him boast who puts his armor on like him who takes it off."

State Senator Nick Miller to Host Hearing on Nursing Home Sustainability and Costs

2026-04-08T00:00:00.001-04:00

Pa State Senator Nick Miller (D-14), who chairs the Pa. Senate Democratic Policy Committee, will host a hearing on Thursday, 1 pm, concerning nursing home sustainability and costs. It will take place at Fellowship Community Center, located at 3020 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052. It will also be livestreamed here.

According to Miller, "This hearing will examine the sustainability of nursing homes, statewide and regional aging demographics, projected needs for the aging community, effects on the labor force, and actions we can take to keep these vital organizations open."

Pa. 7th Congressional Race and Prediction Markets

2026-04-07T00:00:00.002-04:00

If you look at prediction markets like Polymarket, Bob Brooks is running away with the Democratic nomination in the Pa. 7th Congressional district currently held by Ryan Mackenzie. Based on nearly $12,000 of bets, Brooks has a 69% chance of winning while other candidates are getting trounced. Ryan Crosswell is at 23%, Lamont McClure comes in at 8% while Carol Obando-Derstine gets a scant 2%. But this is all nonsense and I'll tell you why.

First, these prediction markets are highly susceptible to campaign insiders who will pour money into them to create the illusion that a candidate is running away with a race. In the Pa 7th, for example, Crosswell has dipped 27%, McClure has dropped 42% and Obando-Derstine is down 47% since betting started. This is just ridiculous. There is no way that voters move that dramatically. But people associated with campaigns do. It is clear that the Brooks and Croswell campaigns have spent some of the money they raised to create a false narrative.

Second, Obando-Derstine, the only woman in this race is predicted to have just a 2% chance of winning. Anyone who follows Democratic politics should know that there are many Democrats who will crawl through barbed wire to vote for a woman precisely because she is a woman. In the last municipal NorCo Council race, one woman was top vote getter despite getting no support from the trade unions. Another woman won despite mounting no campaign and spending no money. In this climate, it is absurd to suggest that Obando-Derstine has a mere 2%.

Third, Lamont McClure, a two-term NorCo Exec and before that, a long-time member of county council, is easily the most well-known of the four candidates. Until very recently, Brooks actually supported McClure. Croswell was a Republican prosecutor who never lived in the Lehigh Valley. Obando-Derstine had no involvement with the public whatsoever and was and remains relatively unknown. The only candidate that Democrats actually might know is McClure. To suggest he's running at 8% is preposterous.

I can see why Congress is growing concerned about prediction markets.

On top of everything else, Brooks' chances of winning are probably declining as negative stories begin to circulate about him. I've written about the way Brooks stiffed his in-laws over land and money they provided for him to build a home. He failed to repay a dime of the money they lent him, and his mother-in-law had to sue for a $130,000 judgment that Brooks refuses to pay. I've also told you about a lawsuit recently filed by Attorney David Dunn, claiming that Brooks engaged in subterfuge and possible fraud when he supposedly conveyed his interest in marital property to his current wife, while still refusing to repay his debt. I've also reported on his failure to list his judgment when he filed his financial disclosure. He's shady.

These negative stories have been spreading to other media outlets, including Alternet, Spotlight Pa and Lehigh Valley News. A candidate with this kind of negative attention does not rise 20% in polling, but could rise in a prediction market when his own campaign does the betting.

It's what I'd expect from a shady person.

When the President of the United States is an Internet Troll

2026-04-06T00:00:00.002-04:00

"Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Gracedale Has Reduced Reliance on Agency Nurses to 57%, But Is Still Operating at a Loss

2026-04-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

Though Northampton County's Gracedale is currently its biggest headache, nearly all of yesterday's meeting of Council's Human Services Committee was devoted to other departments. Administrator Michelle Mortin had only 15 minutes to update Council. She started by passing out a chart covering different data collected, but it was only presented to Council. As a result, I can only rely on what she stated in her description of her handout.

Gracedale staff v. Agency nurses. - According to Morton, agency hours are 57% to 43% by Gracedale staff. She stated this is a significant improvement over the 75% reliance on agency staffing one year ago. As a result, Gracedale has spent less on agency nurses.

Hours per patient per day (PPD). - The state minimum is 3.2 hours per patient per day. Morton stated that Gracedale has consistently been above this minimum threshold since it was cited for being below this minimum on November 18, 2025 and again on January 8, 2026.

Census remains below 520. - Morton acknowledged that its census remains below 520, which is the minimum census required to break even. She explained this is because the nursing home has been more selective with its admissions.

Non-nursing Overtime Reduced. - Early last year, non-nursing staff were averaging 240 hours per month in OT. That has been reduced to 40 hours per month.

Gracedale is in the red. - In January and February, Gracedale had operating losses. But she said that there is significant unpaid revenue because if takes about 300 days to get someone approved for Medicaid. Once that revenue is realized, she expects Gracedale to be in the black.

Gracedale's residents. - She noted that 85% of the residents have psychiatric diagnoses, compared to 60% on the state and national level. She added that 17.5% are under 65. This population has a negative impact on quality measures because of the medications that most be used.

Gracedale's One-Star Rating. - is due to the exorcist nurse and staffing shortages. As a result of the nurse who assaulted a resident, Gracedale will be stuck at one star for a year

Department of Health Visits. - There have been seven visits from the state Department of Health so far in 2026. Aside from the staffing deficiency found on January 8, there have been no additional deficiencies.

Initiatives. - The home is currently conducting dementia training through a state grant to improve empathy and care quality. It has begun an infection detection project to reduce transfers to a hospital and improve detection in dementia residents. It has an ongoing falls reduction strategy

Donald Trump and the Pottery Barn Rule

2026-04-02T00:00:00.004-04:00

Last night, President Donald Trump addressed the nation about the decision, along with Israel, to attack Iran. It was an address that should have been given 32 days ago. While I completely agree that this use of force is entirely justified and overdue, I find Trump's use of hyperbole ("No one's seen anything like it") to be a bit over the top. His claim that Iran's ability to project force has been decimated, but that's contradicted by the missile and drone attacks that have continued. Three weeks ago, Hegseth announced that Iran's firepower has been reduced by 90%. But those missiles and drones keep coming. Nobody has seen anything like it. On top of that, Trump has claimed we'll be out of there in two weeks or so and has incredibly asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will "open naturally." I've never seen anything like it.

Is he out of his mind? What we have done is given Iran permission to use Hormuz both as a toll both and as a way to strangle world commerce. Trump forgets the pottery barn rule. You break it, you fix it or pay for it. He bragged about the families of fallen soldiers who told him to finish the job but apparently plans to leave without doing so. He won't pay. We will.

I've never seen anything like it.

Commonwealth Court Rejects Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa. State Senate

2026-04-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne E. Covey rejected the nomination petition that former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana filed for incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola's seat. (You can see Judge Covey's Opinion below).

Objections to Sultana's nomination petition were filed by Patricia M. Hitzel (an Easton activist and regular attendee of Easton City Council, Celeste Dee, Patricia Bruno and Pamela A. Panto Wife of Easton Mayor Sal Panto. In the course of her very short political career, Sultana has managed to insult each of them. They were represented by Att'y Ray Lahoud, who grew up in Easton and was incensed by Sultana's divisive behavior as a member of Easton City Council. Sultana represented herself.

When a nomination petition is challenges, the Commonwealth Court directs the parties to meet in advance to review signatures and stipulate the status of as many as is possible. Sultana failed to respond to attempts to confer until the day before the hearing. Thus, the court had to recess the matter so the parties could discuss. When Judge Covey reconvened, she sat through 6 hours while 131 signatures were reviewed, of which 85 were clearly invalid.

At this point, the Court was prepared to hear legal argument, and Lahoud had a good one. On both her nomination petition as well as her statement of financial interests, Sultana lists her occupation as "self-employed" but fails to state exactly how she is self-employed. Relying on Supreme Court precedent, Judge Covey concluded that Sultana's nomination petition is fatally defective.

This Court agrees that by merely declaring that she is self-employed, without specifying the occupation in which she is self-employed, Candidate deprived electors of information the General Assembly and the Department of State deemed sufficiently material to appear at the top of each Nomination Petition page while electors apply their signatures. In Beyer, our Supreme Court proclaimed that “the statutory purpose behind the requirement [is] that Candidate supply for the benefit of electors his present occupation or profession.” Beyer, 115 A.3d at 841 (emphasis added). The effect of Candidate’s response is no different than if she had simply put employed. Accordingly, this Court concludes that Candidate’s failure to specify on the Nomination Petition the occupation in which she is self-employed had the potential to mislead electors and, thus, is a material defect.

Is this the end of the road for Sultana? Hardly. Expect to see her next year, declaring her candidacy for Easton Mayor.

Decision Rejecting Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa State Senate by BernieOHare

"Pop Up" Voter Service Events Proposed as a Pilot in NorCo

2026-04-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

Every election cycle, Northampton County's elections office conducts what amounts to three elections. First, mail-in balloting enables a voter to apply for and either mail in his choice for various offices or drop off his ballot at one of seven secure ballot boxes throughout the county. Second, ballot-by-demand enables a voter to appear at the elections or a satellite office, request his ballot and complete it on the spot. Third, there's traditional in-person voting at precincts on election day. Now, elections registrar Chris Commini is proposing a fourth election. At a special meeting of the elections commission yesterday, he sought a blessing for "pop up voter service events to expand access for voters in Northampton County ahead of the 2026 primary election."

Commini said that pop-up voter services are the same as that provided with ballot-by-demand at the county or satellite offices, but at different locales. People can register to vote, complete a mail-in ballot application, receive their ballot and either drop it off or take home for review. A $40 drop box will be available and will be returned to the elections office by deputy sheriffs. These services would exist until May 12, the last day on which mail-in ballots can be requested.

The two locations under consideration are Lafayette College and Northampton Community College. While this might make it easier for students to register and vote, it will be difficult for the elderly or handicapped to walk the rather large parking lots at Northampton Community College or to find convenient parking at Lafayette. So it's really no service to the elderly. But if the pilot program is successful in this year's primary, Commini noted that these services could be offered at numerous fairs and festivals with a more diverse audience. I'd suggest that it be offered at area nursing homes and senior housing as well. Solicitor Michael Vargo and Commini both noted that Montgomery County uses a van as a satellite office for ballot by demand at different events.

The sole Commissioner to vote No to this proposal was Scott Hough. "I'm worried about security and I'm worried about fairness," he said. Since the pop-up event would be manned by existing staff and the mobile drop box would be transported by deputy sheriffs, it appears that this is secure. But fairness? In a primary, pop-up services that target two colleges might adversely impact more conservative Democrats. And in a general election, pop-up services that are limited to colleges would be a boon to Democrats and would hurt Republicans. For that reason, it would be important to have locations that attract Republicans.

On top of this concern is Murphy's Law. If something can go wrong, it will. In recent years, we've had machine failures, ballot issues and voters who have received ballots for the wrong district. I am far from confident that this is the right time and would be more comfortable with this laudable effort to increase access if we could first pull of one or two elections without too many issues. Perhaps that is never possible.

According to Commini, NorCo would be the first county to offer pop-up voter services. Solicitor Michael Vargo and Commini both noted that Montgomery County uses a van as a satellite office for ballot by demand at different events.

Cycling Season Cometh

2026-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

As the days get a bit longer and a bit warmer, you may have noticed those double-wheeled contraptions on the road known as bicycles. Not ebikes, Not motorcycles. I am referring to the machines that move only through leg power. I hope those of you operating cars and trucks can be as forgiving as you have been through the years. While it's hard to feel pity for a bottom-feeding blogger, motorists have almost always been exceptionally courteous to me.

At this time of the year, I usually stay off roads because of the school buses. They tend to make people impatient and a little angry, so I try to stick to the trails as much as possible except for midmorning or weekend rides. But I actually prefer the roads and the hills.

Of course, the real cycling season started months ago in Europe, where there are cycling and cyclo-cross races starting on January 20 and ending only in October. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, three-time winner of the Tour-de-France, is indisputably the best cyclist in the world right now.

Come July, Pogacar will square off against my favorite cyclist, two-time Tour-de-France winner Jonas Vingegaard in this year's Tour. Before becoming a professional cyclist, Jonas earned his living by cutting up cod in a fish factory. Over the course of 21 racing days, Tadej and Jonas will race for 3,333 km (2,071 miles) with a total elevation gain of 54,450 meters (178,642 feet). They get two rest days.

In contrast, my first big cycling event this year is the annual 22-mile ride from Temple's main campus in downtown Philly to its Ambler venue, with a total elevation of about 1,000 feet. But hey, we have to ride thru downtown Philly.

Tadej Pogacar is a thoroughly likable guy and seems to really have fun during his races. But the reason Vingegaard is my favorite is because of what happened three years ago, when he and Tadej were battling for the lead (maillot jeune) in the TDF. On a descent, they were both roaring down a mountain at top speed when suddenly, Pogacar went into a slide and wiped out, giving Jonas an easy win. But Jonas actually stood up on his bike and waited for Tadej to catch up to him. That's pure class.

It happened again last week in Spain's seven-stage Volta Catalunya race. Jonas was going head to head with the Belgian Bullet, Remco Evenepoel. Those two were way ahead of the peleton (the main group of riders) and poised for a stage win. Remco was pissed because Jonas was right behind and drafting off him instead of going in front to give the Belgian a break. He was waving his arm at Jonas, who just stayed glued to Remco. With 400 meters to go, in a sharp turn before the finish line, Remco hit a pothole and did a header over his handlebars. Instead of taking advantage of this mishap to a rider that was already upset with him, Jonas held up again and actually let the peleton catch up and pass him. "I didn't want to win that way," said the Dane, and added that he hoped Remco was alright. That's pure class again.

By the way, all these guys speak English. The annual salaries for top riders is below the NFL minimum. But they can teach a lot about good sporstmanship.

Is JD Vance Worse Than Trump? Governor Beshear (and I) Think So

2026-03-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

Although I agree with Trump's decision to attack Iran, I've always been bothered by his chaotic approach to everything he touches, from the way he bashes our democratic allies to how he embraces our autocratic frenemies. On a domestic level, he has actually made pocketbook issues worse. But I think I finally understand him. He doesn't really take himself seriously, so neither should we. He knows that at least half of what he brays is utter bullshit, and I can almost see him laughing as he says it. Believe it or not, the one person who scares me more than Trump is his VP, JD Vance.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a popular Democrat is a red state, has this to say about Vance: " JD Vance looks down on rural America. He did it in his book where he called the people of my state lazy, blamed them for poverty, even blamed them for the opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives in Kentucky. His administration’s policies also look down on rural America. The big ugly bill threatens to close 35 rural hospitals in my state; lay off 20,000 healthcare workers; kick 200,000 Kentuckians off their coverage. And when the largest payroll in a community shuts down, which is that hospital, the coffee shop closes, the restaurant closes, the bank closes, the insurance company closes. Look at their tariff policy and what it’s done to soybean farmers in my state and others. This is a guy that thinks he is better than everyone else, but his policies are certainly the worst we’ve seen."

I've always thought that Vance, who though Trump was despicable but now gushes all over him, is a complete hypocrite. So does Beshear. "This is a guy who’s changed his name multiple times and talks about his childhood as his origin story. JD Vance has reinvented himself multiple times in the pursuit of wealth and of power."

Trump's train-wreck presidency has assured Democrats a huge victory in the midterms. But that will primarily be a referendum on Trump, not an endorsement of Democrats.

Here's the Beshear formula. First, Democrats need to spend most of their time on issues that matter most to voters, like putting food on the table and paying for their kids' medical bills. Second, talk like a normal human being. "The Democratic Party at different times has talked at and not to people. It’s even talked down to people, which is wrong. Our words have to have meaning." Third, intead of taking about what you plan to do, explain why you plan to do it, why it's the right thing.

Commonwealth Court Schedules Hearing on Objections to Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition For State Senate

2026-03-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court scheduled a March 25 hearing on objections to the nomination petition filed by Taiba Sultana for the state senate. She hopes to face incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola in this year's primary.

Representing objectors Patti Hitzel, Pam Panto, Patti Bruno and Cleste Dee is Allentown Attorney Ray Lahoud, who grew up on Easton's south side. In addition to is challenges to specific signatures, Lahoud has raised the novel argument that Sultana has deceptively claimed to be "self-employed" without explaining precisely what she does as a self-employed person.

The Pa Supreme Court has in the past stricken a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who held himself out as a lawyer while awaiting bar exam results. So I could see a court ruling against Sultana on this basis alone.

Lawyer Who Allegedly Left Cocaine at Courthouse ... Twice ... Is Temporarily Suspended

2026-03-26T22:41:00.001-04:00

Easton-area Attorney Stan Margle, who is well known as both a family and municipal lawyer, has been temporarily suspended by the Pa. Supreme Court.

A per curiam (unsigned but unanimous) order dated March 26 imposes a temporary suspension based on a pending criminal proceeding. It was granted pursuant to a joint petition, indicating that Margle himself was a party to the request.

Margle faces two sets of criminal charges as a result of cocaine and drug paraphernalia he amazingly brought to the courthouse inside his satchel. Unfortunately for him, he left his bag behind when he left on both occasions.

Most recently, Margle was receiving in-patient treatment for what certainly appears to be an addiction.

My hope is that he is getting the help he needs.

UPDATED: The Hubris of Zach Cole-Borghi

2026-03-26T00:00:00.005-04:00

When Lehigh County Comm'r Zachary Cole Borghi was charged last year with participation in a still mysterious interstate marijuana ring, he loudly protested his innocence from his perch in Lehigh County's meeting room "I am an innocent family man. I am a leader in the community, and I am a dutiful public servant who has been damaged by the mishandling of this investigation,” he asserted, adding that "I intend to identify and bring suit against anyone who maliciously conspired to destroy my reputation.” Not only did he retain his position as Chair of the Courts and Corrections Committee, but he cruised to re-election with 69% of the vote. Yesterday, his hubris ran headlong into reality. In four separate and detailed criminal complaints (you can read them below), Cole-Borghi has been charged with more than 100 criminal charges related to the sale and purchase of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms over a period of roughly two years. ~~He was still able to participate in last night's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners but did so from the county jail.~~ His bond is set at $500,000.

Cole-Borghi is accused of 89 counts of criminal use of his cellphone to arrange drug deals, 14 counts of delivery of cocaine and 1 count of delivery of psilocybin mushrooms. Incredibly, the text messages show that he arranged drug deals from his cell phone during Commissioner meetings, from his job at Bethlehem City Hall (where he complained that he was running late because Mayor Willie Reynolds talks too much) and even during a "Peace and Justice Symposium" conducted by the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute and attended by Lehigh County DA Gavin Holihan.

Cole-Borghi's arrogance in the way he allegedly conducted drug deals and his reaction to the marijuana charges is simply stunning. When he was first charged, Comm'rs John Irons and April Riddick quickly played the race card, noting that black men like him are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement.

While that may be true in some instances, Cole -Borghi's fatal flaw - hubris - has nothing to do with his race. "Whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud." He may have felt he was above the law because he is an elected official but is learning the hard way that he must face the consequences of his own actions.

I suspect the circumstances concerning this prosecution is fertile ground for defense motions, but if this case goes to a jury, I doubt Cole-Borghi gets any sympathy. His refusal to resign his position as a Comm'r could enhance his sentence, as it did to disgraced former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski. If he were smart, he'd resign now. But as of now, he just looks like someone who thinks he's smarter than everyone.

Oh yeah, he is presumed innocent.

UPDATED: 11:40 - Cole-Borghi was absent at last night's meeting of LC Comm'rs. My evil Republican brother told me he was there but was joking with me. He called me to inform me of my error and then laughed maniacally.

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 1 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 2 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 3 by BernieOHare

Complaint Zachary Cole Borghi 4 by BernieOHare

Susan Wild v. Fetterman?

2026-03-25T00:00:00.003-04:00

According to Semafor, former Lehigh Valley Congress member Susan Wild is being urged to take on US Senator John Fetterman in 2028, assuming that he seeks re-election. Fetterman angered some Democrats when he refused to support a government shutdown. During that shutdown, as Fetterman himself observed, many Pennsylvanians saw their SNAP benefits delayed. He gets blasted when he refuses to wear a suit, the uniform currently in fashion by our ruling class. He's now being blasted for his vote to confirm another Senator, Markwayne Mullin, as the new DHS Secretary. It makes no difference that Fetterman was among those who called on Kristi Noem to resign or be fired.

In my view, Fetterman is precisely the kind of person that Democrats (and the country as whole) need.

But Susan Wild has a different take. She recently slammed him as a "disappointment." The former Congress member who pretended to reach across the aisles is apparently angry that Fetterman is insufficiently partisan.

And we wonder why nothing gets done,

These days, Congress is little more than a glorified call center, where members are required to spend their days raising money instead of legislating.

I'd prefer a guy in a hoodie to someone who parks in handicapped spots.

Jill Mancini Still Awaits Her Payday

2026-03-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

I've written several times about the Jill Mancini case. She was a full-time assistant NorCo solicitor who was summarily fired in a Christmas phone call by the Brown administration. A federal jury concluded that her due process rights were, in fact, violated, and she was awarded $94,000. Her attorney was awarded $186,000. That finding was upheld on appeal to the Third Circuit as well. Her claim for reinstatement and back pay were unresolved.

After years of going back and forth between the Personnel Appeals Board, Common Pleas Court and Commonwealth Court, President Judge Craig Dally ruled in 2024 that Mancini be reinstated, that she be awarded back pay and all fringe benefits between 2014, the date of her termination, and 2018, when she found alternative employment. He scheduled a hearing for damages. But Judge Dally has decided to remand her claim to the Personnel Appeals Board to conduct an evidentiary hearing on the issue of damages and report back. You can see his Order below.

Judge Dally has determined that the Personnel Appeals Board has failed to determine Mancini's damages and fringe benefits and her administrative remedies must first be exhausted at that level.

This case has now been litigated through three different county executives.

Mancini Remand by BernieOHare

Zoning Reforms That Can Make Housing More Affordable to the Workforce

2026-03-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Northampton County Council is poised to grant a special tax break known as a TIF for the developer of a luxury apartment building and a high-end hotel, complete with butlers, in what was once Wilson Boro's Dixie Cup factory and LA Fitness Center. I'll have more to say about this next week and how it actually exacerbates our housing crisis. In truth, there's little county government can do to assuage our housing crisis. It has no say in zoning, the construction market or financing. Local governments at the city, township and borough levels are another story. Here are some zoning changes I's like to see:

Amend zoning ordinances to be more friendly to tiny homes.

Reduce minimum lot sizes and setbacks.

Accessory dwelling units should be allowed by right in most areas.

Mixed use development should be encouraged.

Loyola U Student Allegedly Murdered by Venezuelan Immigrant Who Illegally Entered US

2026-03-23T07:47:00.000-04:00

I've criticized the brutal way that the Trump administration has enforced our immigration laws. Instead of targeted enforcement, even US citizens have been stopped simply because they look different. Moreover, until Kristi Noem was removed from DHS, even US citizens were killed and shot. Having said that, I acknowledge that we have had a problem with immigrants who have entered the country unlawfully and then committed crimes.

Most recently, an 18 yo Loyola U student was allegedly shot and killed by a Venezuelan, who entered this country illegally and who was apprehended and released by Border Patrol. He later was arrested for shoplifting and released again.

I have received criticism for failing to acknowledge these incidents and agree I should have drawn attention to illegals who engage in criminal activity, especially those who entered illegally.

Can NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski Talk and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

2026-03-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Despite some mind groans from NorCo Council President Ken Kraft, Executive Tara Zrinski continued her practice of providing thorough reports during County Council meetings. "It's called a county council meeting," snarked Kraft, but Zrinski responded, "Listen, you want me to be thorough and transparent, that's what I'm doing." I actually appreciate these informative updates and hope they continue, and I'd much rather listen to news about the county than another state house campaign pitch by Council member Jeff Warren. So far, the biggest complaint about her detailed accounts is that she chews gum. If that's the best ammo her critics have, So long as she's not blowing bubbles and popping them, who cares? with that out of the way, let's discuss her actual report.

DCED: has applied with Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and both of Pa.'s US Senators for P-25 radio systems that can be used by first responders in both analog and digital modes. The department is also planning for this year's May 16 County festival at Louise Moore Park.

CORRECTIONS: Director DeeAnn Lawrence convened a "facility operations" meeting on March 18 to discuss the importance of morale, ethics and leadership, and responsibility in creating a safe and healthy environment. The meeting included captains, sergeants and wardens. Interviews were conducted to fill a vacant captain slot. The correctional academy was graduating six people on Friday and the next class begins today.

ADMINISTRATION: Is trying to improve labor management relations. It is also reviewing a mail-in ballot stuffing machine that could reduce human error like that which occurred in the last municipal election. It is funded by grants.

GRACEDALE: A recent storm caused damage to one of Gracedale's roofs. An insurance claim has been filed and repairs are under way. She warned that changes are coming to the nursing home, both "fiscally and administratively." She said the state Department of Health has visited the facility a few times recently but found no deficient practices. She added that Gracedale's chef provides a monthly cooking demonstration and did so in March for St. Patrick's Day.

As an Irishman, I can assure you that nearly all British cuisine was invented on a dare. The only decent seven-course Irish meal is a six-pack and a potato.

EMS: Interviews are ongoing to fill the vacancy created by Todd Weaver's retirement.

HOUSING: Zrinski attended a "Housing for All meeting of the Third Street Alliance, which focused on a continuum of care for seniors, a housing first model to address homelessness and a plan to develop workforce housing.

SHERIFF: Three candidates are being sent to the Sheriff's academy, and a fourth is already in training. The Sheriff's office warns residents to be wary of scam calls that seem to be coming from their office, but are actually coming from scammers.

PROCUREMENT: met with Manager Jeffrey O'Brien to discuss ways to save money by consolidating purchases countywide.

HUMAN SERVICES: has brought in 12 new employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES: has conducted testing for deputy sheriffs and 911 dispatchers.

VACANT FISCAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR: "We're working on it. You're trying to drag somebody away from a lot of money to not so much. But this is public service, and we're doing it for a greater purpose."

PUBLIC WORKS: has been addressing damage to county buildings from a recent storm that affected several properties. The new parking deck plans have been finalized, and contracts are going out to bid this week.

PARKS: is hiring for summer positions.

NorCo Council Unanimously Approves Human Relations Commission

2026-03-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

Last night, all nine members of Northampton County Council voted to establish a Human Relations Commission (you can see the original version here) to resolve claims of discrimination in a timely manner pursuant to the county's police powers.

The purpose of the ordinance, as stated in the bill itself, is to "declare [the county's intent] to promote the rights and opportunities of all persons to participate in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the County and to assure equal opportunity for all persons concerning employment, housing, education, health care, and use of public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status."

The Commission envisaged by this ordinance consists of seven members appointed by the Executive, which County Council can confirm or reject. Members will reflect the diversity of protected classes. If the commission finds that a complaint of discrimination is substantiated, it can fine the offender up to $600.

Among the many members of the public who spoke in support of this ordinance was Liz Bradberry, who chairs Lehigh County's Human Relations Commission and is herself the CEO of Keystone Equality. She stated that Lehigh County's Human Relations Comm'n can resolve complaints in two days, much faster than the two-year average with the state.

I was a bit concerned about cost, given that county finances are tight. But Bradberry explained that in Lehigh, their Commission has spent only $136 over the past two years.

Bradberry also informed Council that 76 municipalities have established human relations commissions statewide, including 6 counties. She also reviewed case law supporting human relations commissions.

In addition to Bradberry's factually based oration, Council members themselves made some impassioned arguments in favor of the ordinance.

Nadeem Qayyum, the County's first Muslim and Asian American elected in the county, said that the Human Relations Ordinance is more than a legal text. "I see a promise," he said.

Theresa Fadem said her family (great grandmother) was brought here as a slave from West Africa and that she herself "has suffered a lot of discrimination in my lifetime." She was proud of the members of the public who advocated the ordinance.

Dave Holland, who announced that he has a husband, stated that "when people are treated differently, they struggle at another level than people who aren't treated differently. ... If we're treated differently just because of who we are, it takes a toll on the individual, not only the individual, but the whole family. ... When somebody has to deny who they are, it crushes your soul."

Lori Vargo Heffner gave no impassioned speech, but instead acted as a scrivener to tighten the language of the ordinance with a series of friendly amendments, all of which passed.

This ordinance also was supported by Executive Tara Zrinski. "Our strength as a county comes from the diversity of our residents," she said.

I only wish that bloggers were a protected class.

NorCo Public Defender Seeks Full-Time First Assistant

2026-03-19T00:00:00.003-04:00

Nuria DiLuzio, Northampton County's Chief Public Defender, asked County Council last night to create a new position in her office for a full-time first assistant. That position currently exists but it is part-time. She assured Council that she has money in her budget to pay for that position this year. She added that if Council creates this position, she will return and ask to eliminate the part-time position.

Her office currently consists of 13 part-time public defenders, 4 full-time public defenders, a support staff of 3 and a client advocate. Her office handles 75% of the criminal cases filed in the county.

She said that her office is very strong and winning a record number of criminal cases.

Amazingly, up until now, clients who sought a public defender were unable to do so online. She finally persuaded the county's outside IT department to make that option available, and it "really has streamlined our service" with the public and defendants awaiting trial.

She also answered questions about the county's problem-solving courts, where her office assigns a defender.

County Council will vote on her request tonight.

She's doing much better than most Public Defenders throughout the state. According to Pittsburgh Courier, Pennsylvania faces a shortage of about 30% of the public defenders it needs. This results in criminal defendants sitting in jail longer than necessary and clogs dockets

Lehigh County's DCED Director Tapped as Allentown's Managing Director

2026-03-19T00:00:00.001-04:00

Frank Kane, who has been Director of Lehigh County's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), has been tapped by Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk as that city's new managing director.

Kane, a graduate of Moravian College, has spent 20 years with Lehigh County and has been DCED Director since 2013. Prior to that, he spent three years as the press secretary for Pennsylvania's General Services Administration when Don Cunningham was the Director of that department.

Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for State Senate is Among 41 Challenges Across the State

2026-03-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court has received 41 separate challenges to nomination petitions filed by statewide and congressional candidates. Locally, objections have been filed to Taiba Sultana's nomination petition for the State Senate seat held by Lisa Boscola. She is required to have the signature support of 500 registered voters who live in her district, but according to papers filed by Allentown lawyer Ray Lahoud, she only has 484 valid signatures among the 901 people who endorsed her candidacy.

Lahoud, you may recall, paid for campaign signs calling Sultana "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" when she ran unsuccessfully for State Rep. two short years ago. Sultana responded with a defamation suit, which she lost. There's no love lost between these two.

The actual petitioners are interesting, too. They include Patti Hitzel, a South Side Easton activist who can be seen at every City Council meeting and who was the victim of some ugly attacks by Sultana. They include Easton First Lady Pam Panto, whose husband Sal was rather routinely and unfairly called a bigot and sexist by Sultana.

In addition to the signature challenge, Lahoud contends that Sultana's required Statement of Financial Interests, which must be filed with the nomination petition, is also invalid.

Under the State Ethics Act, a candidate must report all direct and indirect sources of income in excess of $1,300. She must also report her "occupation or profession." She reports that she is "self-employed", but that denies the public the right to know exactly what she is doing. The public is this deprived of knowing the sources of her income.

Although no court has ruled on this question, the Pa Supreme Court threw out a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who was not yet a practicing attorney. The court concluded that this misled the public. So if someone lists her occupation as self-employed, but fails to state how this person is self-employed, does this mislead the public, too? That's what the Commonwealth Court is being asked to decide.

Lahoud also raised some questions about the circulator affidavits

Tiburcio Nomination Petition for Pa. State Rep Under Siege

2026-03-18T00:00:00.002-04:00

Locally, two nomination petitions for state senate and the state house have been challenged. The objections to Taiba Sultana's quest for the Pa State Senate are discussed above. This post is about the challenge to Ana Tiburcio's attempt to make the ballot as a Democratic candidate for the 22d legislative district in Allentown. Tiburcio was required to obtain 300 signatures from Democrats who live and vote in her district. Her petition contains 578 signatures, but papers filed by Attorney Elliott Love contends that 317 of them are invalid.

Love's suit was filed on behalf of Jessica Lee Ortiz and Paulette Hunter, who are obviously doing Ce-Ce Gerlach's dirty work for her.

In addition to challenging the validity of signatures, Attorney Love contends that several of the circulator affidavits are defective.

Among those who circulated Tiburcio's petition are State Reps. Michael Schlossberg, Steve Samuelson and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk.

Lawsuit Accuses Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks of Fraudulently Ripping Off Mother-in-Law

2026-03-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Bob Brooks is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the upcoming Pa. 7th Congressional District race against incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Brooks portrays himself as an Everyman. In a way, he probably is. He presents himself as a woke liberal to the Bernie Sanders and Jamie Raskins of the Democratic left, while simultaneously positioning himself as conservative Democrat to Josh Shapiro and his herd. He tries to be all things to all people. I'd call him shady.

A lawsuit filed in Northampton County on February 17 (you can see it below) alleges that he and his current wife (who has pretty much the same name as Wife#1), have engaged in what amounts to a fraudulent conveyance to avoid a judgment he owes his former mother-in-law.

Let me give you some background. In 2008, his in-laws transferred a residential property to Brooks and his Wife #1. They even fronted the cost of subdividing the property to the tune of $55,000. Everyman Brooks promised to pay the money back but never did. Eventually, he and Wife #1 signed a promissory note for the money, but he never paid a cent. He was sued, and a $130,000 award was entered against him in 2020. In an effort to string things along, he appealed. He lost in a unanimous Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling. In 2022, judgment was entered against him for $130,000.

That judgment remains open of record.

After screwing over his in-laws, he and his wife eventually parted ways, with a divorce being granted in 2018. Then, in the midst of two mortgage foreclosures and lawsuits by two credit card companies, Brooks quitclaimed his interest in the property to a person who I thought was Wife #1 in 2022. But according to the lawsuit filed against Brooks, he actually quitclaimed his interest to Wife #2 in a Quitclaim Deed that both he and Wife #2 executed.

I've told you that Wives #1 and #2 have virtually identical names. Wife #1 is Jennifer Lynne Brooks. Wife #2 is Jennifer Lynn Brooks. There is no "e" in "Lynne" in Wife #2's name. The lawsuit avers that the Quitclaim was a fraudulent attempt to obscure the real identity of Wife #2 in order to avoid paying a $130,000 judgment. As a bonus for Brooks, this alleged subterfuge would have enabled Wife #2 tro obtain a $330,000 mortgage.

According to the lawsuit, the signature in the Quitclaim is different than the Note signed by Wife #1 and Brooks for the cost of subdividing their property.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the mother-in-law, now seeks $160,000 from Brooks and from Wife #2. In addition, punitive damages are sought for "outrageous" and "malicious" subterfuge that "shock the conscience"

He's no working-class hero. He's shady. While there might be an innocent explanation to these allegations of forgery, there's no denying that Brooks has adamantly refused to pay a family loan, not just a bank loan, for the home in which he lives.

He's no everyman. He's shady. He was actually soliciting campaign contributions for fellow Democrat Lamont McClure. Before stabbing McClure in the back, Brooks called McClure a "strong Democrat with a proven track record of putting out fires and a long history of standing up to corruption."

He's no Bernie Sanders or Josh Shapiro. He's shady.

In 2019, he posted the Clint Eastwood meme you see above, which stand for some well-known Republican ideals. I could understand a Democrat might endorse second amendment rights. He might think we need stronger discipline. He might want us all to tougher on crime. He might even think prayer in schools is a good idea. But if he supports all of these, it's time for him to change his party registration. What bothers me most is the skull with a Roman numeral III. This signifies the three percenters, "a decentralized, far-right, anti-government movement in the United States."

He's deceptive. In his financial disclosure for Congress, he reports assets and unearned income of at least $963,000. This includes a residential rental property valued at between $250,000 and $500,000 and stocks in multiple mutual funds. He reports salaries of $20,000 from Bethlehem, $50,000 from the Pa Professional Firefighter's Ass'n, as well as business income of $15,000 from his lawn care business.

He reports debt of between $380,000 and $850,000 based on a residential mortgage, an investment property mortgage, and outstanding debt to Darrell and Linda Crook. He fails to list a $130,000 judgment owed to Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law, since 2022.

A title search of Northampton County records reveal that Brooks owns no real estate under his own name, nor is there any recorded mortgage in which he is listed.

Something is very fishy about Brooks' disclosure. And hypocritical. SpotlightPa called him out for complaining about his investments in the very industries he complains about.

Of the four candidates seeking the Dem nomination, Brooks is clearly the most likely to be torn apart by Mackenzie in the general election. That's because he's no everyman. Just an opportunist.

Lawsuit Claims Congressional Candidate Engaged in Fraud To Avoid Paying Judgment by BernieOHare