Indicted appeals court judge Joyce suspended

[appleannie1]

The state Supreme Court today suspended an appeals court judge accused of swindling two insurance companies out of more than $400,000.
Superior Court Judge Michael T. Joyce, 58, a Republican from Erie, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury on nine counts of mail fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors claim he defrauded the insurance companies by feigning injuries following a low-speed car accident in 2001.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_522725.html

[Mnemosyne]

1. But he's no quitter. lol.

Charged Pa. judge to seek 2nd term

By Jason Cato
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 17, 2007

A state appeals judge accused of swindling two insurance companies out of more than $400,000 vowed Thursday to press on with the campaign to keep his Superior Court seat, despite a call to resign by the head of the state Democratic Party.

A federal grand jury this week indicted Michael T. Joyce, a Republican from Erie, on nine counts of mail fraud and money laundering. He proclaimed his innocence yesterday and said he plans to seek another 10-year term in November.

"I have spent almost 23 years on the bench and have instructed hundreds of juries that in the United States, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty," Joyce, 58, said in a statement. "Just because there is a charge does not mean an actual crime has occurred."

The Administrative Office for Pennsylvania Courts could determine as early as today how the charges will impact Joyce's job status, a spokesman said.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_522607.html