Socially Awkward Judge Was 'a Little Creepy,' Asst. DA Tells Ethics Panel
An assistant Erie County district attorney says a Pennsylvania judge accused of harassing nine women was “a little creepy” and made her feel uncomfortable with his repeated invitations to lunch in 2006 and request to call him “Jerry.”
However, Erin Connelly also told a three-judge state Court of Judicial Discipline panel in a videotaped deposition that North East District Judge Gerard Alonge never made physical contact with her and did not make her feel threatened, reports the Erie Times-News.
Connelly is one of nine women, five of them lawyers, who Alonge, who is now 51, was accused by the state Judicial Conduct Board of harassing with unwanted attention. His disciplinary trial began and is expected to end today.
Alonge’s lawyer, Philip Friedman, called Alonge “socially challenged” but said the judge’s behavior doesn’t warrant any disciplinary sanction.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ethics Complaint Says Judge Harassed Women”
Erie Times-News: “North East district judge faces state review”
Updated April 14 to clarify quotes.
