Sen. Williams: Justice Eakin Should Resign Over Emails
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A top Democratic state senator from Philadelphia is calling for the resignation of a state Supreme Court justice over controversial emails.
Republican state Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin has been caught up in a scandal involving emails that a press release from the state Senate Democratic caucus calls "embarrassing and unbecoming."
That same press release, distributed at a Capitol press conference, expressly states that "Senate Democratic Caucus members did not call for the resignation of [Eakin]."
But Anthony Williams of Philadelphia, the Senate Democratic Whip – saying he's speaking for himself and at least some other Democratic senators – did call for Eakin's resignation.
"The emails have created an impression," says Williams, "at a minimum of bias."
Senate Democrats are calling for reforms of the Judicial Conduct Board and Court of Judicial Discipline, including changes to the appointment process.