Indicted judges sues to get pay reinstated
West Chester magisterial district judge says high court violated his rights
Updated at 4:50 to add quotes from Samuel C. Stretton
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
West Chester Magisterial Judge Mark A. Bruno alleges in a federal lawsuit that he was improperly suspended from his job.
A suspended Chester County magisterial district judge implicated in the alleged Philadelphia Traffic...
Third judge admits role in ticket-fixing case
Nine jurists, 3 others accused of subverting justice at Phila. Traffic Court
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
A third defendant pleaded guilty Wednesday in an alleged, Philadelphia ticket-fixing scheme that federal officials say ensnared nine jurists, including a West Chester magisterial district judge.
Fortunato N. Perri Sr., 76, of Philadelphia, a former senior Traffic Court...
For Chester County defendant, apparent role reversal
In 2004, he accused now-disbarred lawyer of fraud; now he’s charged
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
A Chester County man with myriad identities and multiple addresses may have had an advantage in running the Ponzi scam alleged Thursday by federal authorities: Court records show he was once on the receiving end of a con.
Istvan Merchenthaler – also known as Steven Merchenthaler,...
DUI offender convicted – for 4th time
Prosecutor said drugs prompted driver to park in left lane of Turnpike
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
On March 17, a Franklin County driver stopped his car in the passing lane of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, initiating a series of events that eventually landed him behind bars, authorities said.
On Tuesday night, after a two-day trial, a Chester County jury deliberated for less...
After spinning wheels, roundabout gains traction
PennDOT could begin construction on Pocopson Township project by mid-November
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
A roundabout is scheduled for construction at the intersection of Rt. 52, Wawaset Road, and Lenape-Unionville Road.
The goal was roundabout, but the action was direct as the Chester County commissioners advanced a road project in nearby Pocopson Township on Wednesday.
At...
Two judges admit traffic ticket-fixing
Under plea deals, they will receive consideration for cooperation
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Less than two weeks after a sweeping federal indictment of alleged ticket-fixing in Philadelphia’s Traffic Court, two of the nine judges accused in the case pleaded guilty.
H. Warren Hogeland, 75, of Richboro, a Bucks County senior magisterial district judge, and Kenneth Miller,...
License-center supervisor gets state prison term
Judge imposed sentence of 24 to 69 months
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Khalif Abdullah Ali was sentenced to a prison term of 24 to 69 months.
A Philadelphia man found guilty of fraudulently issuing driver’s licenses at a Chester County Drivers’ License Center received a state prison sentence of 24 to 49 months on Monday.
Chester County Court Senior Judge Thomas G. Gavin...
Ex-lover gets 40- to 80-year term in shovel murder
Stephen Shappell tells victim’s family he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Stephen Shappell will spend 40 to 80 years in prison for the 2010 homicide of his boss, who was also his ex-lover’s husband.
He believed her when she said the only obstacle to their lifelong happiness was her husband. And even after Stephen Shappell sat behind bars...
‘Grandson’ scam perpetrator gets federal prison term
Authorities said he bilked elderly victims out of nearly $650,000
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The scam can be lucrative: One defendant posing as the distressed grandson of elderly citizens duped them out of nearly $650,000, authorities said. But it ultimately proved costly.
On Friday, federal officials announced that Anthony Oluwole Ojo, 44, of Ontario, Canada, received...
Litigious, attention-seeking defendant admits mental illness
Prosecutor describes lengthy history of menacing behavior
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Jonathan Lee Riches, a longtime litigious inmate, acknowledged his mental illness in Chester County Court, where he was sentenced to a state prison term.
A litigious, 36-year-old area resident who gained national attention recently as the imposter uncle of Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook Elementary...
