A Philadelphia judge is facing serious questions after a complaint accused him of crossing the line in a case involving one of Meek Mill’s close friends. The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board has opened a review into Judge Scott DiClaudio over claims that he improperly tried to sway another judge connected to the proceedings.
At the heart of the controversy is Dwayne Jones, a longtime friend of Meek Mill who is facing charges in a deadly shooting. According to reports, the issue began in June when Judge Zachary Shaffer and his clerk stopped by a restaurant owned by DiClaudio’s wife. After their order, DiClaudio allegedly handed Shaffer a note with Jones’ name and courtroom number written on it. He is also accused of making the remark, “I’ve heard you might do the right thing anyway,” before tearing the note up.
That short exchange has now sparked major ethical concerns, especially since Jones was waiting on sentencing at the time. Judge Shaffer alerted court officials about what happened, which led to a formal misconduct complaint being filed.
The matter is now in the hands of the Court of Judicial Discipline, which is expected to review the allegations and decide what consequences, if any, Judge DiClaudio will face. The situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny around judicial integrity and the high stakes involved when high profile figures or their associates are connected to the courtroom.