Judge suspended, accused of making racist remarks argues decision was made without due process

PITTSBURGH — An Allegheny County judge who was suspended without pay after he was accused of making racist remarks about a Black female juror is arguing the decision was made without due process and that it has put a “hardship” on his family.

>>>RELATED: Allegheny Co. judge suspended without pay after alleged racist comments about juror

In February, Mark Tranquilli was accused of remarking to a district attorney in his chambers, “You weren’t out of strikes when you decided to put Aunt Jemima on the jury.” He was reassigned at the time. A petition was started demanding he be disbarred, and last week, Tranquilli was suspended without pay.

In court papers filed Thursday and posted to the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, Tranquilli argued that the decision to suspend him was done without “any argument, hearing, briefing," and that it has caused “significant hardship on (him0 as his salary and benefits were (and are) the only source of income and health insurance for himself and his children.” Tranquilli said the decision to suspend him without pay “deviated starkly” from previous similar cases.

He asked the state board to allow him an oral argument and evidentiary hearing about the allegations.

Tranquilli’s attorney sent Channel 11 a statement:

“Judge Tranquilli is simply asking the Court for a hearing on his suspension, since that decision was based entirely on mere allegations.  Like every citizen, Judge Tranquilli deserves the due process right to present his side before being sanctioned. A rush to judgment is not fair to the judge or the public.”

Allegheny Co. judge suspended without pay after alleged racist comments about juror Allegheny Co. judge suspended without pay after alleged racist comments about juror

Cox Media Group