Philadelphia Judge Hoping For Home Confinement After Federal Conviction
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The defense attorney for former Philadelphia Traffic Court president judge Thomasine Tynes, convicted of federal charges and recently charged in a local corruption case, today was seeking probation or house arrest for his client, disclosing that she has been cooperating with authorities in the ongoing probe of "pay-to-play" corruption.
Tynes was acquitted of ticket-fixing but was convicted of lying about her conduct, and now awaits sentencing.
The defense is seeking probation or house arrest, on numerous grounds. Attorney Louis Busico says Tynes has agreed to plead guilty and has cooperated before a grand jury. And, he says, it is anticipated that more arrests of Philadelphia politicians will be made, based, in part, of her cooperation.
Busico says she was humbled, embarrassed, and ashamed, and says a prison sentence would serve no purpose in this case.
Federal prosecutors have not yet submitted their sentencing recommendation for Tynes, who fought the federal case.
