Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice found guilty on six counts of corruption
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February 22, 2013
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: After four days of deliberations, on February 21, the jury reached a verdict in the corruption charges against Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin and her sister, Janine Orie.
Justice Melvin was found guilty of the following charges:
- Felony theft of services (three counts)
- Conspiracy to commit theft of services
- Misdemeanor misapplication of government property
- Conspiracy to tamper with evidence
The trial focused on the sisters' misuse of state employees for Justice Melvin's Supreme Court campaigns in 2003 and 2009. Additionally, the sisters were convicted of trying to cover up the crimes, which led to an evidence tampering conviction for Janine Orie and conspiracy convictions for the justice. In the end, Justice Melvin was found guilty of six out of seven total charges against her. Jurors were unable to decide on a count of official oppression for Justice Melvin, which stemmed from her alleged firing of law clerk Lisa Sasinoski after she refused to do political work for the justice.
Judge Lester G. Nauhaus, of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, presided over the trial.[1] A sentencing date has not been scheduled yet. The felony theft of service charges could carry up to seven years in prison each, though Justice Melvin's clean record will likely give her a lighter sentence.
Allegheny County district attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. praised the jury, stating,
| “ | This jury, having sat in a court of law, heard the truth about the defendant's conduct and has made it absolutely clear that no one is above the law irrespective of title or status.[2][3] | ” |
Justice Melvin took leave from the Supreme Court in May of 2012, when the charges against her surfaced. The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board immediately recommended her suspension and, a few months later, the Court of Judicial Discipline ruled that it be an unpaid suspension. Her annual salary was $195,309. Disciplinary charges are still pending; penalties could range from simply a reprimand to removal from the court. Additionally, the Legislature could impeach her, though it is a less likely option.[4]
The political impact of this conviction now looms over the state's high court which, since Republican Justice Melvin's suspension, has been split with three Republicans and three Democrats. Midterm vacancies on the court are filled by gubernatorial appointment, though the appointed justice traditionally only serves on an interim basis until an election is held for a permanent replacement. Thus, it's likely that the 2015 elections will determine the political balance of the court. However, Justice Melvin has not yet been removed from the court.
A third sister, former Pennsylvania Senator Jane Orie, is already in jail after being found guilty in March of having her staff work on her own campaigns.
Thomas Wilkinson, President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, said,
| “ | [the] verdict represents a sad chapter in the history of Pennsylvania's justice system.[3] | ” |
See also
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- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Judge in Orie Melvin case grants three prosecution requests," January 19, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Jury finds Orie Melvin guilty on all but one count," February 21, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Orie Melvin faces removal from state Supreme Court," February 22, 2013
- ↑ WTAE.com, "Pa. Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin guilty on all but 1 count," February 21, 2013
