Reformers Call for Pa Supreme Court Justice Melvin to Step Aside during criminal investigation

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/reformers_call_for_supreme_cou.html

Excerpts of article from Harrisburg Patriot-News:

"Several prominent state government reformers added their voice to those calling on Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin to step down from the bench in light of news reports she is now the target of a criminal investigation... leaders of the groups Rock The Capital, Democracy Rising PA and activists Gene Stilp and Dennis Bailor said Melvin should at the least go on a temporary leave pending the outcome of a grand jury probe in Allegheny County.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper reported then that Melvin is now the focus of an ongoing investigation into the improper use of judicial and legislative staff for her election campaigns. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. has already charged two of the justice's sisters, Sen. Jane Orie and Melvin aide Janine Orie, with using state-paid staff to campaign on state time.

If Melvin does not act, the reformers said, Chief Justice Ronald Castille should suspend her from further service until the Allegheny County cases and investigations are disposed of. "If the accusations against her sisters are proven, her very presence on the court... resulted from illegal activity," said Tim Potts, founder of Democracy Rising. "We can't allow for somebody to serve after these violations of the election law." Several of the reformers said they were adding their voices now because of the court's date to hear appeals on the reapportionment of the state's legislative districts Jan. 23."