Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A Pennsylvania ethics board is accusing state Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin of violating both judicial and constitutional codes of conduct by exchanging lewd and offensive emails with friends.
The Judicial Conduct Board on Tuesday said it filed four charges with a disciplinary court that has the power to remove judges.
The document says at one point Eakin engaged in conduct so extreme that it brought the judicial office into disrepute.
Eakin says the board's action "brings the opportunity for transparency," and he plans to continue to cooperate.
The Republican and former Cumberland County district attorney has been on the high court since 2002. The investigation that resulted in the charges began after Attorney General Kathleen Kane submitted more than 1,000 of Eakin's emails to the conduct agency.