On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Philadelphia Magazine reported that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Court of Judicial Discipline (CJD) has suspended Philadelphia Judge Mark Cohen without pay for the remainder of his current term, which concludes on December 31, 2024. The decision comes in response to Cohen’s repeated violations of rules governing judicial conduct, particularly his politically charged posts on Facebook.
The CJD, composed of eight judges, found that Cohen’s social media activity breached established guidelines that prohibit judges from displaying political bias or making politically charged statements. The court noted that Cohen’s posts were predominantly supportive of left-leaning figures and policies, including endorsements for District Attorney Larry Krasner, Governor Josh Shapiro, and President Joe Biden, while criticizing former President Donald Trump and his campaign.
Despite prior reprimands from the CJD regarding his online conduct, Cohen continued to use his personal Facebook page to express his political opinions, attracting scrutiny and ultimately leading to disciplinary action. The Judicial Conduct Board first filed a complaint against him in February 2023, and in May 2024, the CJD issued an opinion condemning his social media behavior, delaying sanctions until now.
In their May ruling, the judges stated, “A review of Judge Cohen’s postings shows he is partial to the political left on a variety of matters, that he shares his opinions of same with thousands of his Facebook friends and followers, and that he actively and openly supports leftward political figures and legislation that have nothing to do with the advancement of the law or the legal system.” They emphasized that Cohen failed to maintain the independence and impartiality expected of a judicial officer.
The CJD’s Monday ruling highlighted the unprecedented nature of Cohen’s defiance following their earlier decision, noting that no other case in the history of the CJD involved such continued noncompliance post-decision. Given his age and the state’s age restrictions for judges, Cohen will not be eligible to seek another judgeship after his current term.
Cohen has a lengthy history in Pennsylvania politics, having served for decades in the state House of Representatives. His political career has not been without controversy; he was previously criticized for spending taxpayer money on personal expenses, earning the moniker “king of perks” from the Daily News. After losing his state office in 2016, he transitioned to a judicial candidacy.
In response to the CJD’s ruling, Cohen’s attorney, Sam Stretton, announced plans to appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, describing the ruling as disappointing and the sanctions as unwarranted.
Source: Philadelphia Magazine
