PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Pennsylvania’s Court of Judicial Discipline late last week rejected objections by Willie F.

Singletary in the case against the former Philadelphia Traffic Court judge accused of showing photographs of his genitalia to a female court worker.

The move sets the stage for possible sanctions against the former minor court jurist, who resigned his post after the accusations were made public earlier this year.

In its order dismissing Singletary’s objections, the CJD also scheduled a hearing on the issue of sanctions, which will take place Dec. 13 in the Commonwealth Court’s Harrisburg courtroom.

The CJD ordered both Singletary and the Judicial Conduct Board to file a list of witnesses either party may intend to present for testimony at the hearing on or before Dec. 6.

The CJD issued a reprimand against Singletary in early October in which the court determined that the former judge had engaged in conduct that brought the judicial office into disrepute.

Singletary’s actions, the court determined, violated certain sections of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Singletary, who began his stint on the Philadelphia Traffic Court in January 2008, resigned from the bench in late February of this year after being accused of showing cellphone photos of his erect penis to a female cashier working a night shift at Traffic Court.

The Judicial Conduct Board had filed a complaint against Singletary in March, an action that led to the subsequent CJD decision.

While he is no longer a Philadelphia Traffic Court judge, Singletary could face sanctions such as being barred from ever again holding future judicial posts.

Even before the cellphone photo incident, Singletary was caught up in his fair share of controversy.

When he first ran for a spot on the Philadelphia Traffic Court, he was caught on video saying to members of a biker rally that he would consider doling out preferential treatment to those who would donate to his campaign for a seat on the court.

Singletary also made the news when it was discovered that prior to being elected to Traffic Court, he had amassed more than $11,000 in traffic fines and was subjected to a driver’s license suspension.

Singletary eventually paid the tickets and succeeded in getting his license restored.