
Judge Charged With Ethics Violations In Meek Mill-Linked Case
Scott DiClaudio, a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court decide, is dealing with a proper misconduct criticism after allegedly attempting to sway one other decide’s choice in a prison case involving an in depth affiliate of Meek Mill.
DiClaudio, elected in 2015, usually oversees post-conviction circumstances, together with these involving inmates serving life sentences.
According to 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 buddy of the Hip-Hop artist.
The incident reportedly happened on June 12, when Judge Zachary Shaffer and his legislation 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. According to 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 might do the right thing anyway,” earlier than tearing up the observe and discarding it.
Jones was awaiting sentencing on gun fees tied to a lethal capturing. Shaffer later recused himself and alerted court docket directors concerning the encounter.
The board’s submitting additionally highlighted DiClaudio’s ties to Meek Mill, noting he “is also acquainted, both socially and professionally,” with the rapper.
Meek Mill has lengthy been entangled with the Philadelphia court docket system, most notably underneath Judge 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 dust bike. The sentence drew nationwide consideration and fueled the “Free Meek” motion.
His conviction was ultimately overturned in 2019.
This shouldn’t be the primary time DiClaudio has come underneath scrutiny.
In 2020, he was suspended for 2 weeks for failing to reveal money owed and ignoring court docket 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 extreme that it brought the judicial office itself into disrepute.”
The Court of Judicial Discipline will decide whether or not DiClaudio ought to be suspended with out pay. A call is anticipated inside weeks.
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