Scott DiClaudio, a Philadelphia Widespread Pleas Courtroom decide, is dealing with a proper misconduct criticism after allegedly attempting to sway one other decide’s choice in a felony case involving a detailed affiliate of Meek Mill.
DiClaudio, elected in 2015, usually oversees post-conviction circumstances, together with these involving inmates serving life sentences.
Based on The Inquirer, Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board filed fees Tuesday (September 10), accusing DiClaudio of making an attempt to intrude within the sentencing of Dwayne Jones, a good friend of the Hip-Hop artist.
The incident reportedly passed off on June 12, when Choose Zachary Shaffer and his regulation clerk stopped by DiClaudio’s chambers to purchase T-shirts from Shay’s Steaks, a cheesesteak enterprise owned by DiClaudio’s spouse.
After the transaction, DiClaudio requested the clerk to step out. Based on the criticism, DiClaudio then handed Shaffer a chunk of paper with Jones’ identify and courtroom quantity written on it.
He allegedly stated, “I’ve heard you would possibly do the fitting factor anyway,” earlier than tearing up the notice and discarding it.
Jones was awaiting sentencing on gun fees tied to a lethal taking pictures. Shaffer later recused himself and alerted courtroom directors in regards to the encounter.
The board’s submitting additionally highlighted DiClaudio’s ties to Meek Mill, noting he “can also be acquainted, each socially and professionally,” with the rapper.
Meek Mill has lengthy been entangled with the Philadelphia courtroom system, most notably underneath Choose Genece Brinkley, who stored him on probation for over a decade after a 2007 arrest.
In 2017, Brinkley sentenced Mill to 2 to 4 years in jail for probation violations, together with popping a wheelie on a mud bike. The sentence drew nationwide consideration and fueled the “Free Meek” motion.
His conviction was finally overturned in 2019.
This isn’t the primary time DiClaudio has come underneath scrutiny.
In 2020, he was suspended for 2 weeks for failing to reveal money owed and ignoring courtroom orders to pay overdue payments to a health membership. In April 2025, he was accused of utilizing his judicial place to advertise his spouse’s cheesesteak enterprise.
That matter stays unresolved.
The Judicial Conduct Board said DiClaudio “engaged in conduct that was so excessive that it introduced the judicial workplace itself into disrepute.”
The Courtroom of Judicial Self-discipline will decide whether or not DiClaudio ought to be suspended with out pay. A call is anticipated inside weeks.
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