The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board has filed charges against Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas M. Nocella. Judge Nocella was charged in the Court of Judicial Discipline with violating judicial canons and the Pennsylvania Constitution.
 
It is alleged that Judge Nocella misrepresented his legal qualifications to the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2009 and 2011. He failed to report numerous lawsuits and other legal problems while interviewing with the bar association to determine if he should be recommended for election as a judge.
 
No action is pending to replace Judge Nocella on the Family Court bench. Executive Director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, Lynn A. Marks, commented to the Philadelphia Inquirer that “it was disconcerting that Nocella was hearing cases. ‘It would be hard for a litigant to have confidence in a ruling by him, knowing that he lied his way to become a judge in the first place.’” According to Marks, Nocella “’showed a brazen disrespect’ for the judicial selection process."
 
The official press release announcing the charges against Judge Nocella can be viewed here.