Pa. district judge charged with misconduct

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A district judge in suburban Philadelphia faces judicial misconduct charges alleging that she told her staff not to docket a harassment summary citation against her adult son and lied to court officials investigating the matter.

The Judicial Conduct Board today filed formal charges against Downingtown District Judge Rita Arnold that, if upheld, could result in her suspension or removal from office.

The board, which pursues ethics cases before the Court of Judicial Discipline, also alleges that Arnold improperly transferred the citation against Forrest Solomon Jr. to another district judge and told a member of her staff to lie to investigators.

Neither Arnold nor her lawyer, Dawson Muth, immediately returned phone messages seeking comment.