Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo has issued an order today, Friday, dismissing two more of the remaining 10 charges filed against former attorney general Edward T. Buckingham.<\/p>\n
In a 21-page order, Govendo granted Buckingham\u2019s motion to dismiss the charge of obstructing justice by interfering with the service of process and the charge of misconduct in office.<\/p>\n
Both charges are based on the same alleged act: that Buckingham, being aware that a penal summons was issued against him, engaged \u201cin a course of conduct intended to deceive, resist and\/or otherwise prevent\u201d the effectuation of service upon him.<\/p>\n
Govendo ruled that having found that the penal summons was invalid, the court need not address the issue of whether a physical threat or physical resistance is required under Commonwealth law.<\/p>\n
The judge had previously determined that the penal summons was invalid as it was signed by the clerk of court and not by a judge. <\/p>\n
In the same order, Govendo denied Buckingham\u2019s motion to dismiss seven other charges. He dismissed one other charge as it relates to a certain punishment section of the law, but allowed the charge to proceed to trial as it relates to other punishment sections.<\/p>\n
The Office of the Public Auditor filed 12 criminal charges against Buckingham in connection with an alleged violation of election laws and illegal award of a sole-source contract, among others.<\/p>\n
Last week, Govendo dismissed two charges of misconduct in public office after OPA legal counsel George Hasselback asked for these charges\u2019 dismissal. The charges were related to the alleged sole-source contract. <\/p>\n
The bench trial of Buckingham will start on Feb. 10. <\/p>\n
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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