News from 2012
Judge rules in favor of Phila. police officer who was sued by U.S. mail carrier
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Philadelphia police officer that was brought by a U.S. mail carrier who alleged the cop used excessive force when attempting to prevent the postal working from traversing a roped-off accident scene.
Pa. Health Secretary Avila responds to lawsuit by cafe owner
In court papers filed Feb. 27, Pennsylvania’s top health official denies he ever escalated a situation involving a Harrisburg-area diner owner, an incident that the eatery founder claims eventually led to the cabinet-level official attempting to block a state contract deal.
Judge denies request to push back Sandusky child sex-abuse trial
The judge presiding over the upcoming trial of accused child molester Jerry Sandusky has denied a defense request to push back the start of the former Penn State assistant football coach’s trial.
Phila. judge orders changes relating to court-appointed capital case defense attorneys
The administrative judge overseeing the civil trial division at Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court issued an order Feb. 27 temporarily suspending operation of the court’s Homicide Appointment System Committee.
Convicted murderer who sought evidential test results has suit dismissed by federal judge
A federal judge has dismissed a suit against the City of Philadelphia that was filed by a convicted murderer who alleged he was never given the results of a chemical test that was performed on his hands at the time he was charged with shooting his girlfriend to death.
Fired solar energy company worker sues, claims retaliation for speaking out against racism
An installation technician at a Philadelphia-based solar energy company who alleges he was fired in retaliation for speaking out against discriminatory treatment that was taking place against some of his coworkers has filed a complaint against his former employer in federal court.
Phila. Traffic Court judge accused of showing lewd photo to female court worker faces charges by Judicial Conduct Board
The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board announced March 1 that it has filed formal charges against former Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Willie F. Singletary, the controversial jurist who is alleged to have shown camera phone photos of his penis to a female court staffer.
U.S. General Services Administration sued by employee for discrimination
A 35-year employee of the U.S. government has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against her employer, alleging she was passed over for promotions because of her age.
Commonwealth Court sides with newspaper, reporter in case involving school records
A state appellate court panel has upheld a lower court’s ruling that ordered a charter school to turn over certain school records to a reporter for a regional newspaper.
Former Pa. auditor general enters race for state attorney general
Just when it appeared as though a former area congressman and a former Northeastern Pennsylvania prosecutor would be the only two Democrats running in the upcoming primary for state attorney general, a third contender has thrown his hat into the mix.
Controversial Phila. Traffic Court judge is said to have resigned post
The controversial Philadelphia Traffic Court judge who was suspended after allegedly showing a photo of his genitals to a female court staffer has apparently resigned his elected post.
Motion seeking to disqualify attorney representing police in sex assault case denied by judge
A federal judge has denied a motion by a plaintiff in a police sexual assault case seeking to disqualify the attorney representing the police personnel defendants.
Transfer of SEPTA wrongful death claim sought from state to federal court
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has filed a removal notice with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania seeking to have a wrongful death suit against it transferred from state to federal court.
Fired telecommunications worker sues former employer for retaliation
A Bucks County, Pa. man who alleges he was fired from his job at a telecommunications company because he took time off work to care for his ailing child has filed a complaint against the business in federal court.
Sandusky's lawyer files motion to push back sex-abuse trial until July
The attorney representing accused child molester Jerry Sandusky filed a motion Feb. 27 asking a judge to push back the former Penn State assistant football coach’s trial until July, citing the need to take additional time to review information in the sex-abuse case.
Four new members, including chair and vice chair, appointed to Pa. Continuing Legal Education Board
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court announced it has appointed four new members, including a new chair and vice chair, to the state’s Continuing Legal Education Board.
Judge dismisses Mayor Nutter, Police Commissioner Ramsey as defendants in civil suit
A federal judge has granted a motion to dismiss that was filed by a number of high-ranking Philadelphia officials who were named in a lawsuit initiated by a city man who alleged he was unlawfully detained and roughed up by Philadelphia police officers after an encounter in January 2011.
Fired Phila. School Dist. administrator who blew whistle on controversial procurement process sues district for retaliation
A former top administrator for the Philadelphia School District who alleges his firing was connected to his blowing the whistle on a controversial district move to award a contract to a minority firm despite the fact that the work was supposed to go to another bidder has filed a federal civil rights complaint against his former employer.
Civil complaints now available electronically at Phila. Court of Common Pleas
Members of the general public are finally able to view online and purchase civil complaints and judgments that have been filed electronically on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas website, the First Judicial District announced this week.
Judge dismisses claim against Chester County, Pa. police officers
Two Chester County, Pa. police officers who were sued by a West Vincent Township resident and his wife for alleged civil rights violations are entitled to qualified immunity and therefore cannot be sued, a federal judge in Philadelphia has ruled.