NJ Judge Denies Open Court Access, Silences Psychiatrist in Secret Court Case

By Richard Luthmann

Franklin Lakes, New Jersey Judge Francis J. Leddy, Jr. has denied Dr. Bandy Lee’s request for an open courtroom in her ongoing family court case, sparking outrage over secrecy in New Jersey's judicial system. The September 25, 2024, hearing, which involves accusations against Guardian ad Litem Evelyn F. Nissirios and Superior Court Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca, will be closed to the press and public, raising questions about transparency in the state's family courts.

New Jersey Judge Francis J. Leddy, Jr.

Dr. Lee, a forensic psychiatrist and violence expert, has long been critical of family court practices. She believes the gag order and closed hearing are meant to shield Nissirios and Gallina-Mecca from scrutiny.

“The courtrooms are supposed to be open to the public, especially in cases where judicial misconduct is alleged,” Dr. Lee said. “Shutting the door to the media only heightens suspicions of a cover-up.”

Secrecy to Protect Judicial Misconduct?

Dr. Lee claims Nissirios has repeatedly abused her position as a court-appointed guardian, transferring children to abusive fathers and retaliating against protective mothers. In Dr. Lee’s sister’s case, Patricia Lee, Nissirios is accused of orchestrating a police raid that removed her children and placed them with their allegedly abusive father.

Dr. Bandy X. Lee, M.D., M.Div

“My sister’s children were taken in a traumatic raid, and the courts are trying to silence anyone who speaks out about it,” Dr. Lee said.

Despite her efforts to shed light on the case, Judge Leddy has enforced a gag order that prevents Dr. Lee from discussing the matter publicly.

In response, Dr. Lee petitioned the court to allow media access to the hearing, but the request was denied. Court clerk Stacey Gambuti confirmed that the decision was made at the judge’s discretion, and no reason was provided for the media ban.

A Pattern of Abuse and Retaliation

Dr. Lee’s criticism of Nissirios extends beyond her sister’s case. As an expert witness in over 40 family court cases, Dr. Lee says she has seen a disturbing pattern of children being placed in the custody of abusers.

New Jersey Divorce and Family Law Attorney Evelyn Nissirios

“In 40 out of the 41 cases I’ve been involved in, the good parents—those trying to protect their children—lost custody,” she said.

Dr. Lee also claims that Nissirios has been directly involved in these decisions, transferring children to fathers with histories of violence.

Dr. Lee’s concerns are not isolated. Over 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the impeachment of Judge Gallina-Mecca, who has been accused of enabling Nissirios’s actions. The petition, which gained momentum over the past two months, cites Gallina-Mecca’s failure to hold Nissirios accountable and her use of gag orders to silence critics.

“There is a growing public demand for transparency and accountability in the family court system,” Dr. Lee said. "But the courts are shutting down any attempt to bring these issues to light."

International Parallels and UN Concerns

Dr. Lee’s fight for transparency in New Jersey’s family courts echoes similar battles overseas. In the U.K., family courts were forced to open to the press following public outcry over judges placing children in the custody of abusers.

“The U.K. acted after multiple child homicides linked to family court decisions,” Dr. Lee said. "Yet in the U.S., where the problem is far worse, our courts remain sealed."

Dr. Lee also pointed to a United Nations report calling for urgent reforms in U.S. family courts. The report highlights how the system disproportionately harms women and children, often placing them in danger during custody battles.

“The U.S. is the epicenter of human rights violations in family courts,” Dr. Lee said, quoting the report. “Our system is broken, and it is failing the most vulnerable.”

A Broader Problem in Family Courts

Michael Volpe, a journalist who has reported extensively on family court corruption, discussed Dr. Lee’s case on The Unknown Podcast. He highlighted the pattern of secrecy in family court proceedings across the country.

“What we are seeing in New Jersey is part of a nationwide issue,” Volpe said. “Family courts are using gag orders and closed hearings to hide misconduct and protect the powerful.”

Volpe shared his own experiences with similar cases, including one in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where courts attempted to issue an unconstitutional gag order after he reported on corruption in the family courts there.

“The courts are trying to silence anyone who speaks out,” Volpe said. "But the more they try to hide, the more people will push back."

Here is some of the Volpe-Luthmann conversation:

Michael Volpe
And so the judge actually ordered, and I think here is the order of the judge: “The former husband and his counsel, Leslie Federicos, upon entry of this order, shall immediately serve a written request copying the wife's counsel to Michael Volpe and Kenneth Rosa, who's a father's rights activist, and any other media outlet or third-party sources to remove information related to this case, including but not limited to any information broadcast in the minor children's names, their likeness, or otherwise discusses involves information related to the children or this case. The written request shall be issued immediately after that.”

Richard Luthmann
And that's the most important part, that last sentence, ‘This written request shall be issued immediately.’ That's all it is. It's a written request, but you didn't go to law school, and a lot of people wouldn't know the frigging difference if it comes from legal language that this is something that no judge in the United States of America has the power to do.

Attorney Joel Hirshhorn

Michael Volpe
Speaking of that, shortly after this “agreed order” was signed, a lawyer named Joel Hirshhorn reached out, stating in part, and this is what he wrote in the email, “Please see the attached order [that I just read], kindly comply, with paragraph five, you are on notice.” And this guy, Joel Hirshhorn, tried to convince me, as you said, because I'm not a lawyer, that I am required to do something, even though, as we read, I'm required to do nothing. And all Eric is required to do is ask me to remove it.

Michael Volpe
But these kinds of gag orders are quite common. They shouldn't be common. They're a violation of your First Amendment. And what they're doing in Bandy's case is extremely outrageous, but it's certainly not unique. It's disgusting.

Richard Luthmann
It's chilling on speech. Judges should know better. But where's the recourse? You know, you can file a complaint about Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca. You file can a complaint about the Guardian ad liem Evelyn Nissirios. And the only recourse, really, Michael, is here in the media. The only recourse is to write about it, to talk about it, and to let everybody know what these bad actors are doing. So, hopefully, there will be a reckoning.

Dr. Lee believes the gag order is retaliation for her outspoken criticism of the family court system. She has advocated for judicial accountability, writing articles and appearing on podcasts to expose the corruption she has witnessed as a forensic expert.

“I’ve evaluated murderers and gang leaders in my career, but nothing compares to the atrocities I’ve seen in family courts,” Dr. Lee said.

A Fight for Justice

As Dr. Lee’s case proceeds, she remains committed to fighting for transparency in New Jersey’s family courts. Her supporters call on state lawmakers and the public to demand that the courts open their doors and allow the press to scrutinize judicial actions.

“Without transparency, there can be no justice,” Dr. Lee said. “The people deserve to know what is happening in these courtrooms.”

The decision to close Dr. Lee’s hearing has reignited the debate over the balance between privacy in family courts and the public’s right to know. Critics argue that the use of closed hearings and gag orders in cases involving allegations of judicial misconduct undermines trust in the legal system.

“This isn’t just about one case—it’s about the integrity of our entire judicial process,” Dr. Lee said.

Growing Concerns

The actions of the New Jersey family courts are a growing concern for advocates of open government and judicial accountability. As more misconduct allegations emerge, the public demands greater transparency in family court proceedings. Dr. Bandy Lee’s case has become a flashpoint in this more significant battle for justice, with many asking: What are the courts trying to hide, and when will the public be allowed to see the truth?

The September 25 hearing will proceed in secret, leaving many to wonder whether justice can be served behind closed doors. Dr. Lee, however, remains determined.

"We will keep fighting," she said. "Because justice and transparency cannot be silenced."

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