Penn. Judge Indicted on Mail Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Michael Thomas Joyce was indicted on charges of defrauding $440,000 from insurers by claiming he suffered debilitating injuries in a car crash, even though he was allegedly healthy.^[1]

In announcing the indictment Wednesday, August 15, prosecutors claimed that he claimed the fender-bender left him in constant pain and unable to exercise, but then he played golf, went inline skating and received his pilot's license.^[2] "The bodily injury he says he sustained we believe was fraudulent," U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said.^[3]

Prosecutors said Joyce's car was rear-ended at about 5 mph in August 2001 and no police or medical personnel were called.^[4] Joyce received $390,000 from his insurer, Erie Insurance Group, and $50,000 from State Farm Insurance, which insured the other driver.^[5] Prosecutors alleged that Joyce complained of debilitating injuries, anxiety and difficulty sleeping and claimed they prevented him from pursuing higher judicial office, yet he later opened a brokerage account through which he bought a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an interest in a Cessna airplane.^[6] They also alleged that during the period in question Joyce played several rounds of golf in Jamaica, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, went scuba diving in Jamaica and renewed his diving instructor's certificate.^[7]

Joyce asserted that he is innocent until proven guilty and he promised to press ahead with his campaign for a second 10-year term; he is up for re-election in November.^[8] "When the facts are laid out, it will be clear that these charges have no merit," Joyce asserted.^[9]

Joyce, charged with mail fraud and money laundering, is due in court for an initial appearance Monday.

Federal criminal defense attorney Douglas McNabb has previously discussed the federal crime of mail fraud in his blog; these posts can be found here.

For an in-depth discussion of all money laundering crimes, please visit our website here.

---

^[1] Ramesh Santanam, Pa. Judge Accused of Bilking Insurers, Associated Press Newswire, August 16, 2007, available at available at LEXIS, News Library, Wire News Services File.
^[2] Id.
^[3] Id.
^[4] Id.
^[5] Id.
^[6] Id.
^[7] Id.
^[8] Id.
^[9] Id.