Free Republic

The state Judicial Conduct Board has filed administrative charges against Monroe County Judge Mark Pazuhanich, who was arrested for allegedly fondling a 10-year-old girl at a teen pop concert. The board wants Pazuhanich suspended without pay, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

For months he said it couldn't be done. Then he did it. Joseph Massa Jr., chief counsel for the state Judicial Conduct Board, completely reversed course Wednesday when he filed formal charges against Monroe County Judge Mark Pazuhanich. Since Jan. 5, the day Pazuhanich was privately sworn in by a notary, Massa maintained that the Judicial Conduct Board had no authority to discipline Pazuhanich because the charges against him were misdemeanors, not felonies. Massa said repeatedly that the Judicial Conduct Board could not take action until the criminal charges against Pazuhanich were resolved, and that Pazuhanich could not be suspended...

Mark Pazuhanich has violated Pennsylvania laws, damaged the reputation of the judiciary, and should be suspended without pay immediately while awaiting action to have him removed from office, the state's Judicial Conduct Board says. The board filed charges with the state's Court of Judicial Discipline on Thursday morning, asking that Monroe County's newest judge, already on administrative leave, be removed from his elected position permanently.

Mark Pazuhanich is on administrative leave from his duties as a Monroe County judge until criminal charges [of sexually molesting a ten-year-old girl at a Hilary Duff cincert]against him are resolved, but he will apparently be a factor in local politics for the foreseeable future. The Monroe County Republican Committee once again has a leadership fight on its hands, and Pazuhanich is going to be an issue. Those who actively supported him in his election campaign are going to be called upon to defend their judgment in backing a candidate who was charged shortly after the election with child molestation...

Charged with child molesting after a ten-year-old girl bravely testifies in open court, judge on leave, but what about that $124,000 salary?

We were not appalled by what took place on the Super Bowl stage. What's truly appalling is that their actions reflect our inaction. And our children saw for themselves who we really are when nobody's looking.

The top law enforcement official in Monroe County on Tuesday formally asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to remove Judge Mark Pazuhanich from office. The attempt to unseat Pazuhanich, who has been under attack since he was charged with public drunkenness and fondling a 10-year-old girl at a Hilary Duff teen pop concert in Wilkes-Barre, came in a civil suit in Harrisburg brought by District Attorney E. David Christine Jr.