Litigation

Corruption Trial Opens for PA Justice?s Sisters

By Peter Hardin

A criminal trial began Thursday for Pennsylvania state Sen. Jane Orie, accused of exploiting state resources for the political campaigns of herself and her sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.

A defense attorney assailed the charges as petty, politically driven and “a low blow.” But a prosecutor contended, “The coffers of the public were used to fund her own campaign,” according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article.

All told, Orie (photo at right) succeeded in raising $1.8 in political funds between 2001 and 2009 with no paid campaign staff, Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus said.

A sister of the politician, Janine Orie, also is standing trial in the case. Justice Melvin has not been charged.

Among the first witnesses were former staffers to Sen. Orie, who testified they did political work on state time. You can learn background of the case from Gavel Grab.

Full post as published by The Gavel on February 11, 2011 (boomark / email).