Monday, January 4, 2010

No Charges for PA Judge Willis W. Berry, Jr.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Willis W. Berry Jr. -- suspended until Jan. 4 and owing $180,000 in a civil fraud verdict -- will not face criminal charges for operating a real estate business out of his chambers.

Accusing the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline of "passing the buck to prosecutors," District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham yesterday announced that she could not justify criminal charges when the court refused to remove Berry despite having "the evidence and the authority to do so."

Berry, 67, was suspended in July after the Court of Judicial Discipline found that he had violated judicial ethical rules by running a real estate business out of his chambers for more than a decade. The court could have removed Berry from the judgeship he has held since 1995.

The Philadelphia Bar Association called on Berry to resign, saying his presence on the bench undermined public confidence in the criminal-justice system.

Berry did not resign, and his lawyer, Samuel C. Stretton, has said the disciplinary ruling will be appealed.

Full Article and Source:
No Charges for Judge Who Ran Business From His Office

4 comments:

Lori said...

That's the same CJC which covered up the two perps who were sending kids away - for $$$.

Self-policing has become a sick joke! How can people know which judge should be elected, if these proceedings are shrouded in secrecy?

Anonymous said...

WHAT?

Max said...

And what about his pension???? Dare they touch that?

Anonymous said...

Right on, Lori.