PA Gov: Court Justice Should Step Down

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says a state Supreme Court justice embroiled a risque email scandal should step down.

Wolf's statement Sunday cites the nature of Justice Michael Eakin's conduct and concerns he can't be impartial in cases involving the groups of people he "disparaged."

Wolf says Eakin showed a "remarkable lack of judgment" by taking part in appointment procedures to fill a vacancy on a judicial review panel that will hear misconduct allegations against him. The court has dropped its plan to fill the seat.

Eakin is under investigation for his role in an explicit email ring that also involved other judges and the state attorney general's office.

Messages seeking comment from Eakin and his attorney weren't immediately returned Sunday. Eakin apologized in October for content he described as insensitive and said the emails were out of character for him.

(KA)