Lancaster judge admonished for abusing power during a traffic stop

The letter from a statewide board could be used against Judge Dennis Reinaker in future misconduct cases.

• Katie Meyer
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  Katie Meyer was WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief from 2016-2020. While at WITF, she covered all things state politics for public radio stations throughout Pennsylvania. Katie came to Harrisburg by way of New York City, where she worked at Fordham University’s public radio station, WFUV, as an anchor, general assignment reporter, and co-host of an original podcast. A 2016 graduate of Fordham, she earned several awards for her work at WFUV, including four 2016 Gracies.
  
  Katie is a native New Yorker, though she originally hails from Troy, a little farther up the Hudson River. She can attest that the bagels are still pretty good there.
  
  WITF's Capitol Bureau Chief Desk is partially funded through generous gifts made in the memory of Tony May through the Anthony J. May Memorial Fund.
  
  For more information about Tony May, click here.

 Dan Gleiter / PennLive

A Pennsylvania police officer approaches a vehicle.

(Harrisburg) — Pennsylvania’s Judicial Conduct Board is reprimanding the President Judge on Lancaster County’s Court of Common Pleas for apparently using his position to get out of a traffic stop in April.

However, the judge won’t face any further penalties.

Police dash cam footage shows that when Judge Dennis Reinaker was pulled over in April, he inappropriately left his car and approached an officer.

When he was told to get back in his vehicle, Reinaker pointedly told the officer, “You better check the registration on this plate soon, mister.”

Police say Reinaker had been stopped for tailgating, but the officer let him go without any citation.

On Monday, the Judicial Conduct Board announced it had completed its investigation of the incident. It said there’s enough evidence to “warrant the filing of charges in the Court of Judicial Discipline,” but that the board opted to publicly release a Letter of Counsel admonishing Reinaker instead.

The board said that’s because Reinaker self-reported the incident, among other things.

The letter dismisses the charges, but ​indicates it can be used against Reinaker in future misconduct cases.

Reinaker could not immediately be reached for comment.

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