Female lawyers not buying defense of ’socially inept’ judge who kept asking them for dates

Women wary of ’socially inept’ Pa. judge’s defense

PITTSBURGH — A judge in Pennsylvania could be removed from the bench if a court finds he brought disrepute on his office by contacting women for dates or friendship after they appeared in his courtroom.

But the attorney for District Judge Gerard Alonge (uh-LAWNJ’) says the judge isn’t that different from other guys who can’t get a date.

The six women who complained about being contacted include five lawyers. Accusations include that the judge showed up unannounced at their homes or offices.

Attorney Phil Friedman says the trouble with Alonge is he’s “socially inept” and doesn’t pick up on clues that the women aren’t interested.

A judicial discipline court heard Alonge’s case Monday and will rule in a few weeks.