Justice Joan Orie Melvin to step away from state Supreme Court to fight charges

[PA Democrat]

State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin surrendered to authorities this afternoon to face nine criminal counts pertaining to her alleged use of state resources for campaign purposes.

She arrived at City Court, Downtown, at 1:40 p.m., accompanied by her brother, attorney Jack Orie, and one of her daughters, Casey Melvin.

"I am a woman of faith," Justice Melvin said after she was released without bond following a video arraignment. "My strong faith in God is the cornerstone of my life. My faith will see me through this."

She denied the allegations against her.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-state/justice-joan-orie-melvin-to-step-away-from-state-supreme-court-to-fight-charges-636503/

On May 9, Justice Joan Orie Melvin's sister, state Senator Jane Orie, was found guilty on 14 of 24 counts in her public corruption trial.

The jury found Ms. Orie guilty of multiple counts of theft of services, conflict of interest, ethics violations, tampering with evidence and forgery, and a single count of conspiracy.

Ms. Orie was found not guilty of counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and election code violations. The jury also found her not guilty on counts related to her sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/orie-jury-to-announce-verdict-at-545-pm-628125/

A third sister, Janine Orie, who worked for her sister Joan Orie Melvin is also charged with misusing the senator's legislative staff to do campaign work. She is scheduled to go on trial in August.

[bluestateguy]

1. So what is the partisan makeup of the PA supreme court now?

??

[PA Democrat]

3. Orie is a Republican. Here are the rest by party.

R- Castille
R- Saylor
D- Baer
D- Todd
D- McCaffery
R- Eakin

[DarthDem]

4. 3-3

It will be 3-3 if Justice Melvin (a Republican - - surprise!) doesn't step down, as she (so far) has said she will not.

Justices Eakin and Saylor and Chief Justice Castille are Republicans.

Justices Baer, McCaffery and Todd are Democrats.


As for the vacancy if Justice Melvin steps down, Corbett gets to appoint some hack, and then there would be a special election. Her term doesn't end until December 2019. Pennsylvania's Constitution:

A vacancy in the office of justice, judge or justice of the peace shall be filled by appointment by the Governor. The appointment shall be with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members elected to the Senate, except in the case of justices of the peace which shall be by a majority. The person so appointed shall serve for a term ending on the first Monday of January following the next municipal election more than ten months after the vacancy occurs or for the remainder of the unexpired term whichever is less <. . . >

[appleannie1]

2. http://www.pacourts.us/T/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourtJustices/

http://www.pacourts.us/T/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourtJustices/

[JPZenger]

5. She's collecting full pay and benefits

[PA Democrat]

6. Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Orie should resign

State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, facing nine criminal charges that accuse her of abusing her position to win that powerful position, immediately stepped away from the bench yesterday. Turns out that was a pointless gesture, and not good enough.

In addition to the criminal charges, the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, which investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by state judges, on Friday filed its own complaint against Ms. Melvin and requested her suspension. Ms. Melvin denies all the charges.

Shortly after Ms. Melvin's attorney announced Friday that she would voluntarily take a leave, the court's administrative office released two orders that made her offer moot. In one, the high court relieved her of all responsibilities in "view of the compelling and immediate need to protect and preserve the integrity" of the court system. In the other, it ordered the seizure of all court records, files and equipment from her Downtown office and said it should be vacated.

The orders stop short of revoking Ms. Melvin's pay or benefits and do not constitute removal from office.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/justice-on-ice-orie-melvin-should-resign-to-make-the-court-whole-636553/

This editorial goes on to say that Orie will never regain the confidence of the public and should therefore resign.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. That's the rub, isn't it?

She will not be working, not doing the job she is being paid to do, but she will still be getting all the pay and benefits...sweet.