Three strikes and that's it. Sayonara!
The state Supreme Court canned Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Willie F. Singletary on Thursday, suspending him without pay after he allegedly showed a woman cellphone pictures of his genitalia two weeks ago.
But this isn't the first time Singletary has made headlines, in 2007 his driver's license was suspended for unpaid tickets and two years later he was reprimanded for promising favors in exchange for campaign donations.
Thursday the Supreme Court ordered that Singletary be "relieved of any and all judicial and administrative responsibilities as a judge of the Philadelphia Traffic Court."
He was suspended for an indefinite period without pay, pending further disciplinary action by the Judicial Review Committee, said a First Judicial District source. Singletary's salary is $89,000.
Singletary showed naked photos he'd taken on a cellphone to a woman who reported the misconduct to the principals of the First Judicial District, the source said.
Another source said the woman was a ticket enforcement officer. Philadelphia Parking Authority spokeswoman Linda Miller would not confirm nor deny that information. "We don't comment on an open investigation," she said.
On Dec. 22, Court of Common Pleas Judge Gary S. Glazer recommended to the Supreme Court that Singletary be suspended. When asked Thursday about the court's decision, Glazer said: "The order speaks for itself."
Singletary's attorney William Brennan said his client has not received a complaint, petition, citation or memoranda.
"We're in the process of reviewing options," Brennan said. "This isn't the end of it. While the order is in effect, we will respect it and comply."
Traffic Court has drawn plenty of negative attention lately. Officials from the state Supreme Court said last month that the feds are investigating three court officials - a retired Traffic Court judge, the director of records and Michael Sullivan, former administrative judge - for alleged ticket-fixing.
The Supreme Court removed Sullivan from his leadership post, citing an institutionalized operation of fixing tickets for people who were politically connected. However, Sullivan is still hearing cases.
