Star Forensic Psychiatrist Sues NJ Family Court Chief for “Weaponized” Gag Orders and Judicial Retaliation
By Richard Luthmann
Family Court’s Star Chamber: Gagged by the Bench
Dr. Bandy X. Lee—a former Yale professor, Harvard scholar, and global expert on violence—says her First Amendment rights are under full assault by New Jersey’s family court system.
Bergen County Family Court Chief Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca and Guardian ad Litem Evelyn Nissirios are at the center of the controversy.
“Jane Gallina-Mecca, despite being federally sued, issued another protective order on a case she has nothing to do with,” Dr. Lee told the press. “Her continued interjection confirms my suspicion that Nissirios is her front for violating my protected speech.”
Dr. Lee is the plaintiff in a federal civil rights lawsuit in the District of New Jersey (2:25-cv-01295) that accuses Gallina-Mecca, Judge Michael Antoniewicz, and Nissirios of conspiring to silence her public commentary on a custody case involving her sister.
That case resulted in Dr. Lee’s niece and nephew being placed with an allegedly abusive father, while Dr. Lee and her sister were slapped with gag orders and protective orders.
“We are finally about to hold accountable Chief Judge Gallina-Mecca with an impeachment petition that has over 2,500 signatures,” said Dr. Lee. “Bruce Fein is writing the articles of impeachment.”
Dr. Lee says Gallina-Mecca tipped her hand when she issued a gag order to prevent Dr. Lee from releasing a tampered court audio recording that incriminated Judge Antoniewicz, whom Dr. Lee calls Gallina-Mecca’s “lackey.”
Family Court’s Star Chamber: “Soul Murder,” Censorship, and Courtroom Muting
The heart of Dr. Lee’s complaint lies in the December 5, 2024, “temporary protective order” signed by Judge Antoniewicz. That order forced her to remove posts about Nissirios—including allegations of child endangerment, false police raids, and witness intimidation.
“The TPO falsely declared that I consented to remove the posts,” said Dr. Lee. “I did not. My lawyer acted without authorization, and when I tried to object, the court muted my microphone.”
She was later fined $5,381.25 for contempt. Her posts have since been taken down under duress.
“They’ve chilled my speech,” she said. “They are hiding behind secret proceedings to shield corruption.”
According to Dr. Lee, Judge Gallina-Mecca later issued a protective order barring use of the audio recording from a public hearing where Antoniewicz allegedly lied on the record.
“She drafted the order to silence me,” Lee said. “Then redrafted it after being called out for violating the First Amendment.”
In a blistering June 6 courtroom statement, Dr. Lee confronted Antoniewicz: “You are not a judge in a court in China or Russia. Do you even know what the Constitution means?”
Family Court’s Star Chamber: Behind the Gavel
The federal amended complaint paints a bleak picture. It alleges that GAL Evelyn Nissirios weaponized protective orders to retaliate against Dr. Lee for exposing misconduct.
Dr. Lee claims Nissirios harassed her sister Patricia to the point of hospitalization and collaborated with her ex-husband to seize custody of the children via false reports and backdoor police raids.
“She almost killed my sister four times,” Dr. Lee said. “Now she’s targeting me to hide the truth.”
The complaint cites over 600 lies and acts of perjury by Nissirios. It further alleges that Antoniewicz refused to recuse himself—twice—despite being a named defendant in Dr. Lee’s federal suit.
Dr. Lee says this violates the constitutional rule set forth in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., which requires judges to recuse themselves to preserve impartiality.
“This is a mockery of justice,” said Dr. Lee. “Antoniewicz is compromised. Gallina-Mecca is intervening behind the scenes. And Nissirios is their tool.”
According to court filings, even the audio records are being suppressed.
On June 6, Dr. Lee formally requested the hearing tape but warned: “No unconstitutional protective order should be applied, or legal action will be taken.” Yet, recalcitrant Gallina-Mecca brazenly issued another protective order.
Family Court’s Star Chamber: National Backlash Mounts
Dr. Lee’s campaign to expose Bergen County’s family court has gained momentum. Her impeachment petition against Judge Gallina-Mecca has already topped 2,500 signatures. Dozens of litigants have agreed to testify.
Legal heavyweight Bruce Fein, a former U.S. Associate Deputy Attorney General and constitutional scholar, represents Dr. Lee in federal court. Fein, who impeached three U.S. presidents, is writing the articles of impeachment.
“This is prior restraint—the worst First Amendment violation a court can commit,” Fein said. “The Constitution does not stop at the family court’s door.”
Dr. Lee’s fight has drawn national media attention. Her story has been featured on The Unknown Podcast and in multiple investigative articles. Commentators across the political spectrum agree that something is deeply wrong in Bergen County, New Jersey.
“These judges and GALs have turned family court into an abuse industry,” said journalist Michael Volpe. “They target whistleblowers, gag the press, and destroy families.”
The Stakes: Children, Constitution, and the Soul of Justice
For Dr. Lee, the legal battle is more than personal. It is a fight for systemic change.
“Family Courts are a modern-day slave trade,” she said. “Billions are being made by professionals exploiting domestic violence and child abuse.”
Her lawsuit calls for immediate declaratory and injunctive relief. She seeks to end the gag orders, lift the unconstitutional restraints, and expose the judicial misconduct she believes has long gone unchecked.
“This isn’t about me,” she said. “It’s about every parent, every child, and every whistleblower who has been silenced. If they can do this to me—a Harvard- and Yale-trained forensic psychiatrist—they can do it to anyone.”
Dr. Lee vows to keep fighting.
“They may have gagged me in court. But they will never silence the truth.”
