 
|
|||||||||
              
|
Oakmont justice accused of boorishness
Wednesday, January 03, 2001 By Mike Bucsko, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Oakmont District Justice Richard Zoller violated the Pennsylvania judicial ethics code when he reportedly insulted and cursed at two constables who brought a defendant to Night Court, according to a complaint filed by the state Judicial Conduct Board.
The complaint, filed last week by board Chief Counsel Vincent J. Quinn, says Zoller was "very agitated and was repeatedly demeaning, impatient, undignified, profane, verbally abusive and/or excessively sarcastic" toward Constables William Hugus and Russell Roach. Quinn filed the three-count complaint last Wednesday with the Court of Judicial Discipline.
Zoller, 59, has overseen cases since 1988 in the magisterial district that includes Oakmont and Verona. He is paid $56,348 a year.
Zoller declined yesterday to comment and referred questions to attorney Robert Cooper, who could not be reached for comment.
The incident upon which the complaint is based occurred March 1 while Zoller presided over Night Court at the Municipal Courts Building, Downtown. Hugus and Roach arrived about 9:30 p.m. to arraign a defendant for writing bad checks.
Zoller was "displeased" he had to arraign the defendant for the summary offense and he was "generally indecorous and discourteous," according to the complaint.
Zoller complained that the "paperwork is all screwed up" and told Hugus and Roach "the only reason you are bringing [the defendant] here is to make money."
"This whole thing is ... ridiculous," Zoller is quoted in the complaint as telling the constables. "I haven't even gotten a chance to eat my ... dinner yet."
Roach, of Shaler, declined comment yesterday. Hugus, of McCandless, could not be reached.
The complaint charges that Zoller violated two sections of the state Code of Judicial Conduct that require a judge to "perform the duties of his office impartially and diligently" and to be "patient, dignified and courteous."
The complaint also charges Zoller with engaging in "conduct which brings the judicial office into disrepute."
The complaint is the first official step in investigation of judicial misconduct. Zoller will have to respond and the court will then determine whether the charges should be substantiated. Sanctions could range from a reprimand to removal from office.
|
||||||||
