On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board filed a complaint against Common Pleas Judge Scott DiClaudio regarding his promotion of a cheesesteak shop owned by his wife, Shay’s Steaks, located near the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia.
The complaint alleges that Judge DiClaudio, who is currently on probation for a previous ethics violation, has compromised the integrity of the judiciary through his involvement with the restaurant. The board claims that his actions constituted a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct by misusing the prestige of his judicial position for personal benefits and allowing the restaurant to interfere with his judicial responsibilities.
According to the complaint, DiClaudio has been actively promoting Shay’s Steaks, which is situated just blocks from the court where he serves. Reports indicate that he has displayed articles about his judicial work on the restaurant’s walls and has even escorted customers to observe court proceedings. The board’s findings cite instances where DiClaudio has engaged with patrons at the restaurant during working hours, including visits as early as 3 p.m. on weekdays.
Furthermore, the judge reportedly engages with online reviews of the restaurant, sometimes responding combatively to negative feedback and sharing his personal cell phone number for customer complaints. These actions have raised concerns about the erosion of public trust in the judicial system.
The Judicial Conduct Board noted that DiClaudio sought informal guidance from the Pennsylvania courts’ Judicial Ethics Advisory Board prior to opening Shay’s Steaks. However, he failed to request a formal written opinion regarding his involvement with the business.
In response to the allegations, Judge DiClaudio has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has never promoted a connection between his judicial role and the restaurant. He emphasized his commitment to his judicial duties, stating that he works diligently, often late into the night. DiClaudio argued that patrons of Shay’s Steaks are unlikely to visit the establishment due to his status as a judge.
The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board consists of 12 judges, attorneys, and other members who review complaints against judges. Each year, the board receives hundreds of complaints but rarely takes public action. In 2023, the board received over 820 complaints but only pursued formal charges in three cases after investigations.
This recent filing is not the first time Judge DiClaudio has faced scrutiny. In 2020, he was found to have violated judicial conduct rules by failing to disclose debts in his financial disclosures and by ignoring court orders to pay outstanding bills. For those violations, he was suspended for two weeks and placed on probation until 2026.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
