Convicted Pennsylvania Ex-Judge Won’t Get Bond Pending Appeal

A retired Pennsylvania Superior Court judge will not be freed on bond while he appeals his insurance fraud conviction.

Senior U.S. District Judge Maurice Cohill Jr. says Michael Joyce must report to federal prison once authorities find a place for him to serve the 46-month sentence Cohill imposed March 10.

Joyce’s attorney, Philip Friedman, had argued Joyce needed to remain free because his legal abilities to help craft his appeal are “unique” because Joyce is a former Superior Court judge. But Friedman says Joyce could only do that if he remains free on bond.

The 60-year-old Joyce was convicted in November of mail fraud and money laundering for collecting $440,000 by exaggerating neck and back injuries in an August 2001 fender bender.