Teh One Who Knocks
02-14-2012, 10:34 PM
NewsCore
LANCASTER, Pa. – A judge in Lancaster, Pa., was removed from the bench and charged with numerous criminal offenses Monday after allegedly dismissing her own traffic tickets.
District Judge Kelly S. Ballentine, 43, is accused of dismissing three tickets issued to her -- including one for an expired registration on her BMW -- in 2010 and 2011, state Attorney General Linda Kelly said in a statement. The other two citations related to parking violations in front of her home.
Ballentine had failed to pay the tickets and ignored the summonses issued subsequently. She then accessed the court's computers and dismissed the summonses, court documents said.
Following an investigation, the state attorney filed 12 charges against Ballentine -- including tampering with public records, conflict of interest and obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function.
"At this time, I have issued an order that she be placed on indefinite administrative leave until all criminal charges are resolved," Lancaster County President Judge Joseph Madenspacher said, according to The Lancaster News.
Ballentine, who was elected to her post in 2006, posted $25,000 bail and was released. She is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing February 23.
LANCASTER, Pa. – A judge in Lancaster, Pa., was removed from the bench and charged with numerous criminal offenses Monday after allegedly dismissing her own traffic tickets.
District Judge Kelly S. Ballentine, 43, is accused of dismissing three tickets issued to her -- including one for an expired registration on her BMW -- in 2010 and 2011, state Attorney General Linda Kelly said in a statement. The other two citations related to parking violations in front of her home.
Ballentine had failed to pay the tickets and ignored the summonses issued subsequently. She then accessed the court's computers and dismissed the summonses, court documents said.
Following an investigation, the state attorney filed 12 charges against Ballentine -- including tampering with public records, conflict of interest and obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function.
"At this time, I have issued an order that she be placed on indefinite administrative leave until all criminal charges are resolved," Lancaster County President Judge Joseph Madenspacher said, according to The Lancaster News.
Ballentine, who was elected to her post in 2006, posted $25,000 bail and was released. She is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing February 23.