Suspended Justice Retires Because Of Porn Emails

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery, suspended from his $200,202 post, has stepped down because of disclosures that he sent or received hundreds of pornographic emails, the court said Monday.

McCaffery’s spokesman was unavailable for comment.

The Governor’s Office received a letter announcing McCaffery’s retirement.

“Everybody’s got a right to announce their retirement. He’s announcing his. I won’t have any comment on that,” said Gov. Tom Corbett.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/7040179-74/mccaffery-court-emails#ixzz3HMh16Dpx
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Former Conrad Weiser Coach Jailed After Violating Court Order

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A former Conrad Weiser High School coach accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl was handcuffed and taken to Berks County Prison today after allegedly violating an order for the second time in less than a month that he not contact the girl.

Benjamin J. Stopper, 31, of the 200 block of Longview Drive, South Heidelberg Township, is charged with having sexual contact with a child and corrupting a minor.

Stopper’s original bail set at $20,000 on Aug. 16, but Judge Thomas G. Parisi raised his bail to $100,000 on Sept. 11 after prosecutors alleged Stopper had contact with the girl against Parisi’s orders. Stopper’s family posted 10 percent of the bail, and Stopper was released.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=515961

Pottstown, Phoenixville Split By Court-Approved Re-Districting Plan

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Both Pottstown and Phoenixville will be split into two different legislative districts under the legislative re-districting approved Wednesday by the state Supreme Court.

The new districts will take effect in the 2014 election cycle and shift legislative lines for the state House and Senate seats throughout Southeast Pennsylvania and may change who is representing you in Harrisburg.

In Pottstown, the plan unanimously approved by the court, puts the first, second and part of the seventh wards of Pottstown into the 26th District, currently represented by longtime Chester County Republican Tim Hennessey.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and other half of the seventh wards will continue to be represented by the 146th District, a seat currently held by freshman Democrat Mark Painter according to the plan.

Read m0re:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130508/NEWS01/130509321/pottstown-phoenixville-split-by-court-approved-redistricting-plan#full_story

Slots Approved For Valley Forge Convention Center

Image via Wikipedia

Potts Vegas never materialized but it appears slot machines will be making their way into the Valley Forge Convention Center after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved their casino license.

Six-hundred slot machines and fifty gaming tables are planned for the convention center.  Upper Merion Township supervisors have already approved this plan.  No date for the completion of the project was announced but officials are looking to get this up and running ASAP.  

The addition of gambling will give the Valley Forge Convention Center another means to attract customers and make the convention center more of a destination.

Limerick Township turned down a casino but Upper Merion Township is certainly embracing it.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Reviewing The Consolidation Of District Judge Positions

Cash strapped Pennsylvania is compiling data on consolidation of the District Judge positions in the Commonwealth.  A District Judge makes $80,927 per year.  For example, in Lackawanna County there are 11 District Judges.  Is this too many?

There are vacancies in a number of counties and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has asked every county to review these vacancies to see if any of the positons can be eliminated.