5 day forecast
Accountant estimates alleged loss to state in Orie Melvin case
Share with others:
A forensic accountant with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office estimated at $33,475 the loss to the state from alleged political work being done on state time for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.
Jackelyn Weibel told the jury in the justice's trial today that she came to her conclusions after using estimates provided by judicial staffers who worked for the judge in 2003 and 2009 and from legislative staffers who worked for Justice Orie Melvin's sister, former state Sen. Jane Orie.
The justice and Janine Orie, another sister who worked for the judge as an administrative assistant, are on trial on charges of theft of services and related counts stemming from runs for the high court in 2003 and 2009.
Ms. Weibel's estimates included a total loss of $27,702 from the 2003 campaign, and $5,773 from the 2009 run.
She is expected to be the last witness called by prosecutors before they rest their case.
First Published February 7, 2013 12:46 pm
