From The Associated Press, 12/27/03:
http://pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1072556049218120.xml
Report: No swearing-in for judge-elect until criminal charges resolved

Pazuhanich, who was also cited for drunkenness at the concert, entered
an alcohol rehabilitation center on Dec. 3 and has not been available
for comment, Anders has said.

From The Associated Press, 12/27/03:
http://pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1072556049218120.xml

Report: No swearing-in for judge-elect until criminal charges resolved

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) --

A senior judge won't swear in Monroe County's top prosecutor, who is a
judge-elect facing indecent assault and related charges, if he shows
up at a ceremony for new officeholders next week, according to a
published report.

President Judge Ronald Vican decided that District Attorney Mark
Pazuhanich should not be sworn in until the charges against him in
Luzerne County are resolved, Monroe County Prothonotary George Warden
told The Morning Call of Allentown for Saturday editions.

Pazuhanich, 47, who is charged with fondling a 10-year-old girl at a
teen pop concert on Nov. 29, could still ask a district justice to
swear him in, a state court official said.

"There's a very broad-based group of folks who can swear you into
office," said Art Hines, a spokesman for the Administrative Office of
the Pennsylvania Courts.

"I know district justices are included in there. I think notaries as
well."

Prior to the alleged incident that prompted the charges, Pazuhanich
had asked to be sworn in at a separate ceremony on Wednesday.

That event has now been canceled, Warden said.

Pazuhanich's lawyer, Marshall Anders of Stroudsburg, has said his
client is innocent and plans to take his seat on the Monroe County
bench.

Pazuhanich was elected in November to a newly created sixth judgeship
in the county.

Police said that Pazuhanich groped the girl while the two were sitting
in adjoining seats at the Hilary Duff concert in Wilkes-Barre, about
100 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

At least two adults reported witnessing the alleged assault, according
to investigators.

Pazuhanich, who was also cited for drunkenness at the concert, entered
an alcohol rehabilitation center on Dec. 3 and has not been available
for comment, Anders has said.

A preliminary hearing on the criminal charges has been postponed until
Jan. 22.

Also this week, a judge in New Jersey suspended Pazuhanich's parental
visitation rights with his daughter, who lives with her mother in that
state. Under the order, Pazuhanich is not allowed to have any contact
with the child.

Pazuhanich, who is free on $10,000 unsecured bail, is charged with
indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, public
drunkenness and corruption of minors, all misdemeanors.

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Ya just can't trust those GOP family values types.

Harry