Pennsylvania judge suspended without pay over political social media posts

(WHTM) — A Pennsylvania judge has been suspended without pay for publishing political social media posts even after being warned not to do so.

According to court documents, Judge Mark B. Cohen of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County was suspended after repeatedly and continually posting political social media posts despite warnings from a supervisory judge and the Court of Judicial Discipline.

The documents say Cohen’s case was compared to former Justice Michael Eakin’s, who resigned and was fined $50,000 for his misconduct with internet postings. In contrast to Judge Cohen, Justice Eakin’s postings were not intentionally spread to the public by him, and he apologized for his misconduct. In this case, Judge Cohen’s posts were intentionally sent out, and no apology was issued to those who might disagree with him, according to the court opinion.

Court documents say, “Sitting judges are not allowed to broadcast their political leanings. People appearing before judges in court deserve fair, unprejudiced jurists to weigh their cases.”

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Judge Cohen was ordered by the court to be immediately suspended without pay for the remainder of his term of service ending December 31, 2024. He has served on the bench for six years.

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