Pocono News Section

Controversial Judge Election

Controversial Judge Election - Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 5:58PM EST

Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 @05:58pm EST

A Bradford County judge is defending his reputation tonight, while preparing for next week's election.

Common pleas court judge John Mott is seeking a retention vote.

It would keep him in office for the next 10 years.

It's not anything he did, it's what his wife did 2 years ago.

Mott's wife stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the canton borough authority.

She was working as an office manager there.

She did jail time, and Mott says it shouldn't have any affect on his campaign.

Drive up and down route 6 in Wysox, and in downtown Towanda, and you'll see them.

Signs supporting, or slamming Bradford County common court of pleas judge John Mott.

Mott says he sees right through the negative signs.

Judge Mott says, "these people are seizing on my wife's situation because they know they can't talk about my record. They can't criticize my record because my record is outstanding."

Judge Mott's record includes sitting the bench at the Towanda County courthouse for 19 years.

But he says some people are focusing on his wife, rather than him this election.

Mott's wife served 9 months in the Tioga county jail, for stealing thousands from the Canton Borough authority.

He denies knowing about the crime.

Opinions on Mott's campaign are split, just like route 6 splits two yards apart.

One totes a sign saying Not Mott, the other urging voters to say yes."

Beth Sindaco says of Towanda says,

"judges are ruled by the appearance of impropriety, and if it appears improper, it probably is. So i think that's probably going to weigh on voters. "

Jim Ennis of Wysox says "it's his wife that made the mistake, and not him. And i don't think you should tear him down and crucify him, so to speak because of something his wife did that he knew nothing about."

If Mott wins retention, he would sit the bench for another 10 years.

Something he says would be a good choice for voters.

Judge Mott says, "i'm almost universally recognized as having done a good job over 20 years. I mean, over 70 percent of the lawyers in bradford county support my retention."

And next week, voters will decide whether or not to support judge Mott's retention as well.

If Mott isn't voted in, he would still be the court of common pleas judge until the end of the year.

Then, Governor Rendell would have to appoint a judge for two years.

After that, an election would be held for a new judge.