Eakin Quits PA Supreme Court In Wake Of Email Scandal

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By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A state Supreme Court justice facing ethics charges over his involvement in an email scandal shaking Pennsylvania government has announced his retirement from the bench.

The lawyer for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin, William Costopoulos, says after a difficult and punishing process stemming from the email scandal, Eakin will retire from the state high court at the age of 67 for the sake of his family and the judiciary.

Costopoulos defended Eakin's integrity, saying his client's legal opinions have been scrutinized and analyzed.

Costopoulos speaks with reporters in Harrisburg Tuesday. (credit: Tony Romeo)

"And the conclusion which has been stipulated to by the Judicial Conduct Board is that his work product and opinions are completely devoid of bias or prejudice."

Costopoulos contends Eakin's work will stand the test of history, but that the consequences of his involvement in the email scandal will not, calling the email controversy and the reaction to it a "slippery slope."