HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board dismissed a complaint regarding state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph J. Cappy's role in pushing for judicial pay raises last year.
The board determined unanimously that the allegations by political activist Gene Stilp were meritless, it said Monday.
Stilp in August asked the board to consider whether Cappy violated any rules regarding ethical conduct by judges by advocating higher judicial wages to members of the General Assembly.
Pay raises for judges, lawmakers and some executive branch officials were approved by the Legislature in July, then repealed in November.
Also Monday, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts released a letter Cappy's lawyer, W. Thomas McGough Jr., wrote to the conduct board on Nov. 11.
The letter, which defended the chief justice's actions, noted the Code of Judicial Conduct says judges may "engage in activities to improve the law, the legal system and the administration of justice." The law also allows judges to participate in activities concerning the legal system and consult with individuals or bodies of the other two branches "on matters concerning the administration of justice."
"All of Chief Justice Cappy's activities in support of enhanced compensation for Pennsylvania's judicial officers has fallen comfortably within these rules," McGough wrote.
Stilp did not immediately return a phone message left by The Associated Press on Monday.
The Judicial Conduct Board reviews, investigates and prosecutes complaints of judicial misconduct. Six of the board's 12 members were appointed by the Supreme Court, and three of the 12 are judges.
