State Takes Over Philly Traffic Court

Pa. high court probes Philadelphia ticket-fixing

Philadelphia's top traffic judge has been removed, as state officials dig deeper into allegations of ticket-fixing.

Pennsylvania's chief justice is overhauling Philadelphia's traffic court after an internal investigation revealed judges routinely fixed tickets for the politically well-connected.

Supreme Court Justice Ronald Castille says he's reliving Traffic Court Administrative Judge Michael Sullivan of his duties immediately following an investigation that started after federal agents raided Sullivan's office in September. Sullivan was re-elected to a six-year term last month and remains on the court.

The state's high court issued an order Monday transferring Sullivan's responsibilities to Common Pleas Judge Gary Glazer.

Castille says everyone deserves a fair hearing based on facts, not political favors.

An attorney for Sullivan tells KYW-AM his client did nothing wrong and is disappointed by the high court's action.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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