Embattled Pleasant Hills District Judge Mary Grace Boyle yesterday was suspended for 30 days because of continued complaints about the operation of her office.

The suspension marks the second time in three months that President Judge Joseph James of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court has taken personnel action in Boyle's office. In July, James ordered two of Boyle's office workers moved to different offices because she refused to talk to them.

Boyle, who is under investigation by the state Judicial Conduct Board, received an order Thursday from James by fascimile machine that directed her to report at 3 p.m. yesterday to the Common Pleas Court administrative office in the Frick Building, Downtown. At the meeting, James told Boyle she was being relieved of her duties, with pay, for the next month.

James does not have the power to suspend Boyle without pay. That authority rests with the state Supreme Court or the state Court of Judicial Discipline.

James could not be reached yesterday for comment on why he suspended Boyle.

McKeesport District Judge Thomas Brletic was asked by James to handle the remainder of Boyle's cases yesterday afternoon after she went Downtown. A county locksmith changed the locks on Boyle's office after she left, Brletic said.

The operation of Boyle's office during last spring's primary election is the subject of the Judicial Conduct Board probe.

The investigation began after District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.'s office received complaints that Boyle was using her staff and office for her primary re-election campaign in violation of state ethics laws. Zappala's office later referred the matter to the Judicial Conduct Board.

Boyle, 55, who could not be reached yesterday, won the primary over two opponents and will seek her fifth term in November.

After the election, Boyle learned her office staff had talked to an investigator from the Judicial Conduct Board. She refused to talk to the two women employees and instead communicated with them by writing notes.

James ordered the employees transferred to other offices and he sent another county employee to work in Boyle's office. The other two staff slots have been filled by "travelers" -- court employees who work at different locations.