District judge reprimanded by conduct board

UPPER MERION >> A district judge accused of making aggressive statements toward acquaintances he discovered were supporting his opponents in a 2015 election has been reprimanded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline.

According to an order and opinion filed Oct. 4, Judge William Maruszczak, who has served as a district judge in Montgomery County (District # 38-1-09, West Conshohocken Borough, Upper Merion Township, Roberts, Swedeland and Swedesburg ) for 22 years, “is to serve a one year period on probation commencing immediately.” The order and opinion stated, “As a condition of probation Respondent Maruszczak is to submit to a comprehensive psychological assessment by a licensed psychologist designed to assess impulse control and anger related issues including treatment recommendations, if any. Completion of treatment, if recommended, is a condition of probation.”

The opinion stems from a complaint filed in February 2018 alleging that Maruszczak acted improperly during a 2015 campaign for re-election. “In that opinion we found Respondent Maruszczak committed violations by his conduct in loudly and publicly berating former supporters who had changed their support to his election opponent,” read the October 4 filing.

In the complaint, it is alleged

that Maruszczak became aware that long-time friends of his had been working for his opponent during a 2015 primary election. In one instance, the complaint states, he traveled to a polling place in Conshohocken to speak with the individual. During their interaction, it is alleged that he raised his voice at her and later left a voicemail for her husband that stated in part, “She started this. I’m going to finish it.”

In his responses to the complaint, Maruszczak denied yelling at her but did state that he raised his voice as a result of being “hurt and surprised” by her support of his opponent. Additionally, Maruszczak admitted to leaving a voicemail the day after the election but added in an explanation: “The telephone call the day after the election was the result of a man who was very hurt and felt betrayed and in his moment of transient anger said something stupid.”

The complaint states that Maruszczak also traveled to another polling location on the primary election day to speak with another individual about support for his opponent. The complaint states that Maruszczak yelled at the individual and accused him of working for his opponent and stealing Maruszczak’s yard signs. In his response, Maruszczak claimed he did not yell at the individual but may have raised his voice given the noise level in the polling place.

In a third incident cited in the complaint the board writes that Maruszczak is accused of confronting yet another individual who was canvassing his neighborhood on behalf of his opponent prior to the election

SUBMITTED PHOTO Magisterial District Judge William I. Maruszczak is seen in this file photo after announcing that he was running for reelection.