Former PA Justice Eakin Fined For Role In Email Scandal
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Court of Judicial Discipline has fined a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice for his role in a scandal involving offensive email, but will allow him to keep his state pension.
Facing an ethics trial before the Court of Judicial Discipline, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin retired earlier this month.
There will be no trial, but after Eakin stipulated the facts in the case, the disciplinary court has now cited Eakin for "failure to conduct himself in a manner that promotes confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary," and has fined him $50,000.
In its opinion, the Court of Judicial Discipline express its "disgust" with the "sordid and offensive emails" that were involved in the Eakin case.
But the disciplinary court also says the conduct was not criminal and did "not prejudice the proper administration of justice," and says Eakin's decision to step down and accept responsibility reduced the likely sanctions.
