Greene County CourthouseSuperior Court Directs Western Pa. Judge to Recuse From Case Over Business Ties to Defendant
The Superior Court agreed that the litigation’s potential impact on the judge's financial interests was a basis for recusal, but the court determined there were more grounds for recusal than just that.
January 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
3 minute read
What You Need to Know
- The Superior Court directed a western Pennsylvania judge to step down from a case involving an oil company that had conducted millions of dollars worth of business with the judge and his family.
- The oil company had asserted that its business ties with the judge created the appearance of impropriety.
- The judge had rejected the motion for his recusal but later said he had ruled in error.
The Superior Court has directed a western Pennsylvania judge to step down from a case involving an oil company that had conducted millions of dollars worth of business with the judge and his family.
The three-judge panel ruled Jan. 16 in a precedential opinion that the business relationship between Judge Jeffry Grimes of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas and EQT Production Co. was significant enough to create an appearance of impropriety if the judge were to remain on the case. Therefore, the court held, Grimes must recuse himself.
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