Patrick Judge - A Judge behind the scenes

Some attention was given to the recent announcement of Patrick Judge to
Chairman of the State's Judicial Conduct Board. The State Judicial Conduct Board monitors Judges to ensure they are behaving and acting according to the Commonwealth's Constitution. Originally based on the West Side of Luzerne County, Patrick Judge now lives in Glenmaura, Lackawanna County. His ties to backroom deals and having a great deal of power is rarely ever seen and instead just felt by elected officials and those who work in government. Patrick Judge has been a member of the Wyoming Valley Sewer Authority for over 15 years and in that position has influenced a majority of the hiring of all personnel. He has been given credit to keeping a working Republican Party structure together unofficially which has helped Former Gov. Tom Ridge, Former Attorney General Mike Fisher, and Current Attorney General Tom Corbett among others. He has also been rumored to have helped Former Luzerne County Commissioner Frank Crossin out of his legal troubles several years ago with then Attorney General Mike Fisher. Patrick was Vice Chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Committee but resigned upon moving to Lackawanna County in the late 1990's. However his residency has not caused him to resign his position on the Wyoming Valley Sewer Authority. In addition he also a member of the Luzerne County Arena Board Authority, which oversees all operations of the Wachovia Arena.

Much of his power began due to his relations to Patrick Solano, who had served as a Senior Counselor to every Governor since the 1960's both Democrat and Republican. Patrick Solano was known as a deal maker able to bring both parties together thus earning him respect among many elected officials. Patrick Judge is also tied to Keystone Automotive, based in Exeter Boro. Luzerne County.

Of current interest is Patrick Judge's current role as chairman of the State Judicial Conduct Board and their efforts against Luzerne County Judge Ann Lokuta. He is the first lay person (non-lawyer) to serve as chairman of the State Judicial Conduct Board. A quick look through Internet searches shows some of the people who have relationships with either Patrick Judge or Patrick Solano and many are known political players in Northeastern PA, including Luzerne County Judge Mike Conahan who controls Luzerne County's Judges with an iron fist.

All of this speaks ill for Judge Lokuta's chances of being found innocent of the charges brought against her. She does not play ball with any of the other judges in Luzerne County and does not associate with political players in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Also if she is removed, her current voter registration is Republican which would almost guarantee her replacement would be another registered Republican considering her replacement would need to be approved by the Republican Controlled State Senate. So although Conrad Falvello and Tom O'Connor both have decided not to run for Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas and wait for this seat to open up, they might not get the chance until Judge Chester Muroski retires.

Watch for more of this to come out especially if Judge Lokuta plans on bringing down as many of her advisaries as she looks more and more likely to be suspended or removed from the bench.