Republican PA. Supreme Ct. Justice Convicted of Corruption (2nd & 3rd Orie Sisters going to prison)

[JPZenger]

Last edited Sat Feb 23, 2013, 06:10 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20130221_ap_guiltyonallbut1countforjusticemelvin.html

She was the swing vote on the Court.

Excerpts:

"A member of Pennsylvania's highest court was convicted Thursday of corrupting the election process in her campaigns to win a seat on the bench, triggering renewed calls to change the system of electing state judges.

Justice Joan Orie Melvin was just the second known Supreme Court justice to be convicted in nearly three centuries, and her conviction may soon set in motion political campaigns by would-be justices vying to replace her.

Melvin and her sister, Janine Orie, were convicted of corruption for allegedly misusing state-paid staffers to do campaign work.

A third sister, former state Sen. Jane Orie, 51, was charged as part of the conspiracy but she wasn't on trial. She resigned from office last year and is serving 2 1/2 to 10 years in prison for illegally using her staff to work on her own campaigns..."

[appleannie1]

1. That news made my day.

[gelsdorf]

2. I need a tissue n/t

[Pat Riot]

4. ha ha

Welcome to DU.

[Pat Riot]

3. Wow.

Almost can't believe it. Between this and the Pittsburgh police chief/now mayor scandal, things are happening here in western PA.

[JPZenger]

5. If she doesn't resign, she can't be removed or replaced until impeached

Eventually, there will be a special election to replace her. (Which is supposed to occur in an odd numbered year - 2013???)

However, amazingly, she is still a Supreme Court Justice, although one who doesn't hear cases or get paid.

If she doesn't resign, she would probably be impeached. However, that process usually takes many months.

Corbett gets to pick her temporary replacement, but he can't do that until she is removed. So actually, it is better that she not be removed until the state is ready for a new election. She was the swing vote. If the Supreme Court votes 3-3 on a case, that is a non-decision, so the lower court decision holds up.