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Sen. Williams: Justice Eakin Should Resign Over Emails

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A top Democratic state senator from Philadelphia is calling for the resignation of a state Supreme Court justice over controversial emails.

Republican state Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin has been caught up in a scandal involving emails that a press release from the state Senate Democratic caucus calls "embarrassing and unbecoming."

That same press release, distributed at a Capitol press conference, expressly states that "Senate Democratic Caucus members did not call for the resignation of [Eakin]."

But Anthony Williams of Philadelphia, the Senate Democratic Whip – saying he's speaking for himself and at least some other Democratic senators – did call for Eakin's resignation.

"The emails have created an impression," says Williams, "at a minimum of bias."

Senate Democrats are calling for reforms of the Judicial Conduct Board and Court of Judicial Discipline, including changes to the appointment process.

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