Pennsylvania Justice’s Bleak Future

Pennsylvania Justice Joan Melvin has pleaded not guilty to nine criminal charges, which allege she illicitly used state workers to campaign when she ran for a Supreme Court seat in 2003 and 2009.  Melvin pleaded not guilty, but the Allegheny County district attorney’s office included about 50 pages of emails with its presentment to back up the charges. Moreover, one can’t help but notice the similarities between Justice Melvin and the criminal conduct of her two sisters. Penn Live reported:

“[Jane Orie] was until recently a state senator, found guilty of 14 counts of theft of services, conflict of interest and forgery. The charges stemmed from Orie’s use of her Senate staff to do political campaigning. She is awaiting sentencing and on Monday stepped down from her Senate seat. 

“Another sister, Janine Orie, was employed as an aid to Orie Melvin and is charged with campaigning for her two sisters on the state’s time and dime. Janine has not yet gone to trial.”