Conviction of PA Supreme Court Justice hasn't changed status

(Harrisburg) -- The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts says suspended state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin's campaign corruption conviction hasn't immediately impacted her status.

Art Heinz, spokesman for the agency, says Melvin remains suspended without pay. She still faces administrative charges before the Court of Judicial Discipline, which has the authority to remove her from office.

Heinz says he's not sure if the Supreme Court, itself, could remove Melvin from office and says Chief Justice Ronald Castille was not immediately commenting on the verdict.

Melvin and her sister and aide, Janine Orie, were convicted of theft of services and other charges for using state-paid court workers and Senate staffers belonging to a third sister to do political work on Melvin's 2003 and 2009 Supreme Court campaigns.