Jane Orie suspended from practicing law 
May 8, 2012 6:03 pm
By Paula Reed Ward / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Sen. Jane C. Orie has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law based on her criminal conviction.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued the decision on Monday. Her sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who is a target of the investigating grand jury, did not participate in the decision.

Ms. Orie, R-McCandless, is scheduled to be sentenced on 14 criminal counts on May 21 by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning.

The defense had filed a motion asking for her sentencing date to be postponed so attorney William Costopoulos could have more time to prepare, but today Judge Manning denied that request.

Ms. Orie was found guilty by a jury of misusing her legislative staff to campaign and do fundraising for herself. Ms. Orie will be sentenced on counts including theft of services, ethics violations, forgery and tampering with evidence.

Mr. Costopoulos has said his client will resign her Senate seat before the May 21 sentencing date.