In a story first reported by the New Jersey Globe, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner of New Jersey’s Supreme Court recently elevated Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski to the state appellate court—a move that’s now raising eyebrows due to its backstory. Jablonski, who was serving as the assignment judge in Hudson County, had been in a consensual romantic relationship with a court staffer who directly reported to him, sparking concerns about transparency and accountability in the judiciary.
Talk about a plot twist that would make courtroom dramas jealous. New Jersey’s Chief Justice Stuart Rabner recently made headlines after promoting Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski to the state appellate court—a move that’s now stirring the judicial pot thanks to the backstory. Turns out, Jablonski, who was the assignment judge in Hudson County, had been in a consensual romantic relationship with a court staffer who directly reported to him.
The relationship reportedly began after a period of personal loss for Jablonski—his wife passed away earlier this year during a ski trip. While workplace romances aren’t inherently against New Jersey judiciary policies, relationships involving supervisors and subordinates require a heads-up to the higher-ups, in this case, Rabner himself. The purpose? To avoid even the faintest whiff of impropriety. But did this situation follow the rulebook to the letter? Critics are raising their eyebrows.
Instead of investigating or shuffling Jablonski to another county, Rabner gave him a promotion and a pay bump, placing him on the appellate court—an influential gig by any measure. The public announcement of Jablonski’s new role conveniently left out any mention of the workplace relationship that necessitated his reassignment. Talk about burying the lede.
A Promotion or a Dodge?
Judiciary spokesperson Peter McAleer leaned on policy to justify the decision, stating that consensual dating isn’t typically the court’s business unless it involves a boss-subordinate dynamic. However, sources say this wasn’t a courthouse secret. More than a dozen judges, court employees, and Jablonski’s friends confirmed the relationship, and many feel the promotion sidestepped transparency.
Some argue the promotion raises serious questions about accountability. Should Jablonski have been investigated? Could the reassignment have been handled without a pay raise? One judge, speaking anonymously, suggested Rabner could have transferred Jablonski elsewhere without promoting him, saying, “I feel as though this taints him, maybe unfairly so.”
Silence Isn’t Golden
What’s particularly galling for critics is the lack of answers. Questions about when the relationship started, when Rabner learned of it, and whether this influenced the promotion decision have gone unanswered. Rabner directed all inquiries to McAleer, while Jablonski and other judiciary officials offered little more than silence or redirection.
Rabner’s handling of the situation has led to whispers about favoritism and whether Jablonski’s ascent sends the wrong message to the judiciary at large. After all, this wasn’t a case of quiet, mutual affection between two colleagues—it involved a direct reporting line, compounded by the fact that Jablonski hired and later promoted the staffer.
The Bigger Picture
This story isn’t just about one judge or one relationship. It’s about the public’s trust in a system that demands impartiality and transparency. Whether Rabner’s decision was an act of compassion, pragmatism, or something murkier, the lack of a clear explanation leaves room for speculation—and not the good kind.
The judiciary exists to uphold accountability, but this episode raises the question: who holds the judiciary accountable? The court of public opinion is still deliberating, and let’s just say the jury’s out.