Hempfield District Judge Anthony Bompiani retires with year left in term

Saying he wanted to “start a new chapter” in his life, Hempfield District Judge Anthony Bompiani has hung up his robe.

Bompiani, 41, of Hempfield served as district judge for five years. He retired, effective Dec. 31, according to county special courts administrator Christopher A. Haidze.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now but decided last month I wanted to start a new chapter in my life,” Bompiani said Friday.

A former assistant public defender, Bompiani was elected as district judge in 2015 after longtime District Judge James Falcon retired. He was entering the last year of his six-year term.

Bompiani said he thought “long and hard” over the past year about his career path “with everything that’s been going on in the world.”

“I talked it over with my parents, family, friends, my kids, fiancee and staff who have supported me over the years. Last month, I made the decision (to retire),” Bompiani said.

Bompiani wrote his formal retirement letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on Dec. 17.

“I am so grateful and thankful for the many who have helped and assisted me along the way,” Bompiani said.

An attorney, Bompiani said he will continue to pursue a career in the field of law.

He also dashed rumors he was planning to move.

“I’ll be staying right here. I have three wonderful sons and my family here,” he said.

Haidze said the legislature has the authority to appoint a successor, but since the seat was already slated for a primary this year he doubted whether the vacancy would be filled. He said the office will be staffed by senior district judges, most notably Falcon.

“We’re lucky he’s here,” Haidze said.

The office oversees court cases from Youngwood, South Greensburg and parts of Hempfield.

A district judge makes $93,338 a year.