On Tuesday, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas conducted argument court, something it does every month. Legal questions are briefed and assigned to a judge for disposition. That usually takes some time. But in an open records dispute filed by Tricia Mezzacappa against West Easton, it took just one day for Judge Edward Smith to rule against her. This dispute arises out of a Right-to-Know request filed by Tricia Mezzacappa with West Easton Borough. Although her request was granted, Mezzacappa objected to having to make an appointment to inspect the records, so she appealed to state Office of Open Records. Shot down there, she filed another appeal in Northampton Court. This time, she also demanded a forensic audit of West Easton, to be conducted by the state attorney general, the DA, or the County Controller.
In a six-page opinion, Judge Smith makes it pretty clear that open records appeals should be confined to the Right-to-Know law, and not wander into goofy allegations of bribery.
West Easton's lawyer, Pete Layman, has asked for attorney fees. But Judge Smith has deferred that question until he rules on the merits of Mezzacappa's contention that she can just walk into an office and demand records without an appointment.
By ruling this quickly, I think the Court is giving Tricia Mezzacappa a message. Judges have had enough of Tricia's antics.
I suspect Solicitor Layman will get those attorney fees if she persists in what really is a frivolous appeal.
You can read Jdge Smith's ruling here.
Incidentally, my defamation case against Mezzacappa has been assigned to Judge Smith, too.
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