Pocono News Section

Luzerne County Judge 'Guilty'

Luzerne County Judge 'Guilty' - Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 4:23PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, Oct 30, 2008 @ 04:23pm EST
HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY- Judge Ann Lokuta is found guilty by the Court of Judicial Discipline on more than two dozen misconduct charges.

Lokuta responded briefly Thursday afternoon she's disappointed in a court ruling that finds her guilty on 26 misconduct counts. The Judicial Conduct Review Board investigated the judge for more than two years and presented testimony over a two-week period last year and very early this year.

The court's 228 page decision comes after months of waiting. Reached by phone, an attorney with the Judicial Conduct Review Board said his agency is pleased with the decision.

Attorney Louis Sinatra, representing Judge Lokuta, said he was "surprised and disappointed, I thought there was a compelling case for Judge Lokuta."

Sinatra said after reviewing the lengthy document, they'll likely file objections.

A sanction hearing will likely be scheduled in the near future. The two-term judge could lose her seat on the bench.