David J. Murphy, Delaware County, Pa., Judge, Charged Identity Theft, Other Charges in Petition Forgery Case

David J. Murphy, a Delaware County judge, arrested and charged with forgery, identity theft, tampering with records, among other charges, in petition forgery case.

David J. Murphy

David J. Murphy, a Delaware County, Pa., Republican magisterial judge has been arrested and charged with forging signatures on nominating petitions for his campaign, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Murphy, who has been a district judge since 1991, reportedly told an unidentified witness in August that he had forged the signatures for the 2009 primary.

Murphy, a Republican, allegedly said he was concerned there were not enough signatures to qualify as a candidate on the Democratic ticket. It is a common practice for judicial candidates to appear on Democratic and Republican ballots. One hundred signatures are needed to be placed on the ballot as a candidate for magisterial district judge in Delaware County.

Investigators found 64 signatures had been forged on petitions for Murphy, according to court documents. He has been charged with forgery, tampering with records, identity theft, perjury, and other related charges. The charges were filed on March 9.

This is a disgrace, especially for a sitting judge. He should be kicked off the bench and disbarred. There is no excuse for this behavior, especially from a judge.