Philly Judge Facing Disciplinary Case Suspended
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The state Supreme Court has suspended a Philadelphia judge accused of having failed to report legal problems to the bar association that later recommended him for election.
The high court order dated Friday said Common Pleas Judge Thomas Nocella was relieved of "any and all judicial and administrative responsibilities."
The order does not affect his salary or benefits.
The state Judicial Conduct Board last month charged Nocella with violating judicial canons and the state constitution in allegedly failing to report numerous lawsuits to the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2009 and 2011 while the group was trying to decide whether to endorse him.
Nocella's attorney, Samuel Stretton, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he wasn't happy that his client wasn't given a chance to present a defense before the order was issued.
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