Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, today, filed criminal charges against state Sen. Republican Whip Jane Orie (R-40) and Janine Orie, an aide to state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who is their sister.
Jane is accused of letting her staff do non-legislative work during business hours for political campaigns for herself and Joan between 2001 and 2009. Joan was elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last November.
Assistance included creating campaign materials for Joan on the senator’s district office equipment,including scanners, computers and photocopiers.
Janine is accused of masterminding the operation along with Jane’s chief of staff Jamie Pavlot, who appears to be cooperating with Zappala.
The actual charges are theft of services, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence,criminal conspiracy and violations of the state office and employee ethics act.
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