ST. THOMAS – A judicial clerk has filed a lawsuit accusing Magistrate Judge Paula Norkaitis of assault, following an incident that allegedly took place over a year ago at the Superior Court’s Magistrate Division in Barbel Plaza on St. Thomas.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on January 19, 2024 during preparation for an arraignment proceeding. Joanna Daniel, who worked as a judicial clerk for Norkaitis at the time, claims that Norkaitis became angry with her when she failed to mute the telephone line.
Daniel alleges that while in the presence of Assistant Attorney General Brenda Scales and two deputy marshals, Norkaitis proceeded to angrily grab her by the shoulder and shake her, dislodging her shoulder and damaging her rotator cuff, requiring her to receive medical attention.
The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands is also named as a defendant in the case, accused of negligent infliction of emotional distress. Daniel claims that despite her complaints, the Superior Court has done “very little to address the matter,” according to the filing.
While Daniel is still employed as a judicial clerk for the Superior Court, she says she was assigned to a new judge after reporting the incident.
“I spoke to the presiding judge at the time and she asked me would I accept an apology, and I told her no,” Daniel said in an interview with WTJX.
“The actions of the defendant, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, by not adequately addressing the matter, thereby having defendant Norkaitis’ behavior unchecked in the work environment, created extreme hardship on the plaintiff’s well-being,” the complaint, which was filed on August 8, states.
WTJX reached out to the Superior Court for comment, however they declined, stating that they do not comment on pending litigation.
Norkaitis was sworn in on December 5, 2021 to serve a four-year term as Magistrate Judge of the Superior Court. Her term expires on December 5.
“If we’re going to be doing things for the public, as far as seeking justice for people, we need to start doing it within as well,” Daniel said, adding that she thought it sent a bad message that those responsible for discharging the law were verbally and physically abusive towards others.
The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional harm, as well as attorney’s fees and other costs.
