Jul 13, 2015 2 min read

Former Washington County Judge Paul Pozonsky is scheduled to be sentenced this morning after pleading guilty in March to misdemeanor charges of theft, obstruction of justice and misapplying entrusted government property for stealing cocaine evidence while he served on the bench.

A felony charge of conflict of interest and two additional misdemeanor charges were withdrawn as a part of a plea agreement.

Probation is a viable punishment option for Pozonsky, and the attorney general’s office is not pursuing jail time. However, the ultimate decision on Pozonsky’s future is up to visiting Senior Judge Daniel Howsare of Butler County, who could sentence Pozonsky to a maximum of six years in prison and a fine. Pozonsky will also forfeit his pension. He has collected a partial pension payment of more than $200,000 and receives nearly $8,000 monthly in state retirement benefits.

Investigators accused Pozonsky of stealing cocaine evidence after ordering police to bring it into his courtroom during several routine pretrial hearings. He kept the drugs in a locked cabinet in a vault in his office and replaced them with other substances, including baking soda.

Robert Del Greco Jr., Pozonsky’s attorney, said addiction played a role in his client’s actions.

Pozonsky’s arrest in May 2013 followed the recommendation of a grand jury convened by the state attorney general’s office.

He served on the bench for nearly 15 years before resigning in June 2012 after he was removed by former President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca from overseeing criminal cases. Pozonsky also previously served 13 years as a district judge in Cecil Township and McDonald before being elected to the Washington County bench.

Pozonsky remains free on $25,000 unsecured bond.