The state Court of Judicial Discipline has voted to uphold its decision to remove former Luzerne County Judge Ann Lokuta from the bench, according to one of her attorneys.Attorney Ronald Santora said he was advised that a deeply divided court voted 4-3 Monday to uphold the sanction it imposed in December 2008. The ruling is a setback, Santora said, but he vowed it does not end the case as Lokuta will continue her appeal with the state Supreme Court.
“We are a long way from over,” Santora said when reached at home late Monday night. “We still think how the Judicial Conduct Board and how the (court of judicial discipline) handled this was an absolute travesty.”
Full Article and Source:
PA Panel Upholds Lokuta's Removal
See Also:
Procedural Issue in Lokuta Case
9 comments:
Explanation: Article V, §18(a)(7) of the Constitution sets forth the general powers and duties of the JUDICIAL CONDUCT BOARD. Among the primary responsibilities of the Board are:
I. to receive and investigate complaints regarding judicial conduct filed by individuals or initiated by the Board,
II. to determine whether probable cause exists to file formal charges against a judicial officer, and
III. to present its case in support of the filed charges before the COURT OF JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE.
Thus, the Board acts in a manner similar to a prosecutor in a criminal action.
The JUDICIAL CONDUCT BOARD is corrupt, and is trying to cover up that fact. http://www.timesleader.com/news/JCB_seeks_to_withhold_its_records_12-31-2009.html?showAll=Y?commented=Y#comments
At the least, Judge Lokuta has been held to different standards than other judges.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20091218_No_charges_for_judge_who_ran_business_from_his_office.html
Why has Judge Lokuta been targeted?
Boy if this isn't a clear and pronounced statement that the state of PA is going to remain in the dark ages, I don't know what is.
How frightening for the citizens of PA.
Conahan's the main witness against Lokuta and yet his testimony stands?
Good gravy, what has the world come to?
I am sorry to hear this but at the same time, I'm sure Ann Lokuta won't give up.
wonder if the 4/3 vote was planned to give the appearance that some of the board was on lokuta's side to kind of take the heat off of the board?
The old saying that justice is blind has been proven again!
The citizens of PA should all send bleach to the Governor with a note saying it's time to disinfect the justice system.
Lokuta was targeted because of Conahan, Anon1.
If I remember it correctly, the reasons for her de-benching was that she bullied the court staff.
Don't get me wrong, if she bullied the court staff, that's wrong and she should have been disciplined.
But, they didn't just discipline her -- they went after her with everything but the kitchen sink.
I believe judges should be removed for purposely not following the laws and procedure -- or bad behaviour or bias involving those directly in front of his/her bench.
To remove a judge for bullying the staff is outrageous.
Here is the complete link posted in Anonymous 1:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20091218_No_charges_for_judge_who_ran_business_from_his_office.html
Contrast that with the way a complaint against two corrupt judges was handled. Of course, there are countless corrupt judges in PA who do what they want because the JCB has ignored complaints that were filed against them.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/hottopics/judges/Conahan_complaint_held_2_years_12-09-2009.html
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