Justice Joan Orie Melvin suspended from Pennsylvania Supreme Court
May 21, 2012
Pennsylvania: Two years after the first indictment of her sisters, Justice Joan Orie Melvin has now been indicted by a grand jury for utilizing her staff at the Superior Court during campaigns for the Supreme Court in 2003 and 2009. In addition, Orie Melvin is accused of also being directly involved in coordinating the staff of her sister, state Senator Jane Orie, for the benefit of Orie Melvin's campaigns. [1] All told, Orie Melvin is charged with nine criminal counts.[2]
Justice Orie Melvin insists that she is innocent and will not resign from the Supreme Court. She also contends that the charges brought against her are politically motivated.[3]
Following the indictment, Orie Melvin was suspended with pay from the Supreme Court. The court intended to "protect and preserve the integrity of the Unified Judicial System and the administration of justice of the citizens of this Commonwealth" with the suspension. Separately, Orie Melvin sent a letter to Chief Justice Ronald Castille, recusing herself from all judicial matters until the situation was revolved.[2]
The Associated Press reports that this is only the second time in the history of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that a sitting justice will face criminal charges.[4]
To learn more about the history of the charges against Justice Orie Melvin's sisters, read: Supreme Weekly: Redistricting, ethics charges and major rulings from January 12, 2012. Also, visit Jane Orie on Ballotpedia.
Footnotes
- ↑ Law.com, Allegheny County Investigating Grand Jury release
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Legal Intelligencer, "Justices Suspend Orie Melvin in Wake of Charges," May 21, 2012
- ↑ Philly.com, "Judge rejects call to resign," May 20, 2012
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin says charges against are 'politically motivated'," May 18, 2012
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