Should Judy Maloney Get Her Job Back?

The assistant district attorney who handled the criminal case of suspended Bethlehem Health Bureau Director Judy Maloney on Tuesday issued a statement to clarify the terms under which charges were withdrawn last week.

“The charges were not withdrawn because the District Attorney’s Office believed that Judith Maloney was a victim of domestic violence,” said Assistant District Attorney Juliet Dowling.

“The office also did not withdraw the charges because there was insufficient evidence to meet our burden. The charges were withdrawn because I felt it was an appropriate resolution to the case because Ms. Maloney accepted responsibility and was getting therapy.”

Dowling's statement is a stark contrast from a claim made by Maloney’s attorney, Melissa Rudas, who said the represented recognition from the DA’s office “that Judy was a victim of domestic violence.”

Rudas also said she was working toward getting Maloney reinstated at her job in City Hall.

The city health director has been on administrative leave since March, when Maloney was charged with allegedly with a glass candleholder.

This also is not the first time that Maloney has been suspended from her job because of a brush with the law.

Back in 2008, she was suspended after being charged with drunk driving and harassment. The criminal charges were expunged when she completed a program for first-time offenders.