The jury in the federal trial of six Philadelphia Traffic Court judges delivered a verdict of not guilty for some of the co-defendants but convicted four others of perjury.
The federal trial involved what prosecutors called a pervasive system of ticket fixing which benefited the politically connected. Jurors determined that three defendants – Thomasine Tynes, Michael Lowry and Robert Mulgrew were guilty of committing perjury before the federal grand jury. Former judge Willie Singletary was also found guilty of lying to federal agents when questioned about ticket fixing at Philadelphia Traffic Court. Three co-defendants – Michael Sullivan, Robert Moy, and Mark A. Bruno – were found not guilty. Before the case went to trial H. Warren Hogeland, Kenneth Miller, Fortunato Perri, William Hird, and Henry P. Alfano pleaded guilty.
“We respect the jury’s verdict in this case and will continue our efforts to root out corruption in Philadelphia and this district,” said United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. “We are pleased that the jury convicted these former judges of the serious offenses of lying under oath and lying to the FBI.”
As of Tribune press time the sentencing hearings were not scheduled. Each defendant faces a maximum possible statutory sentence of not more than five years in prison and or a fine.
The trial lasted for two months during which a host of witnesses described the inner workings of the Philadelphia Traffic Court. The witnesses, many of whom testified under a grant of immunity told the court how judges passed what was known as “considerations” between each other. The so-called “considerations” were requests that a judge take a closer look at a particular case. Prosecutors pointed out that in every instance when a “consideration” was received, the individual was found not guilty.
However, the jurors could not determine if the judges committed a federal offense when they took the requests.
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