Pa. Judge Is Accused of Seeking Sexual Favors for Favorable Rulings in Two Cases; Probe Continues
A 70-year-old Pennsylvania judge is accused of seeking sexual favors from two women in landlord-tenant cases in exchange for favorable treatment.
Judge Ross Cioppa has been charged in Allegheny County with two counts each of bribery, indecent assault and official oppression, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Cioppa’s conduct in 20 other cases, including small-claims and traffic matters, is also under review, prosecutors say.
In one case, Cioppa is accused of trying to hug and kiss a tenant after court ended for the day, the story says. He allegedly pulled out a camera and said he would allow her to stay in her home if he could take pictures of her. The woman agreed and she got a favorable ruling, according to the grand jury presentment.
In the other case, Cioppa is accused of ruling against a woman who shunned his advances.
One of Cioppa’s lawyers, Phil DiLucente, has previously said the judge denies any sexual misconduct. “What I said previously stands,” DiLucente told the Tribune-Review. “We look forward to putting this behind the judge. This is someone who has served his community for two decades.”
