DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight has been suspended without pay amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct that have been filed against her by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board.
Ethical violations were filed against her on September 6, 2023, that allege Judge McKnight violated Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Judge McKnight had been previously suspended in 2021, from February 9, 2021, to August 18, 2021, after authorities said she had interfered with a traffic stop that involved her son on February 22, 2020.
The Pa. Attorney's General Office charged Judge McKnight with criminal charges of tampering with evidence, obstructing the administration of law and official oppression on December 16, 2020.
Judge McKnight was acquitted of all charges in July 2021 by a Berks County judge brought in to hear her case and returned to the bench on August 19, 2021.
The new allegations filed on September 6, 2023, include:
Theft of Time
In November of 2022, Judge McKnight allegedly gave four vacation days to four members of her staff in addition to their earned leave. The court documents say the vacation days were gifted by Judge McKnight as a reward to her employees for their hard work. However, the Judicial Conduct Board says granting of unearned vacation leave constitutes a theft.
Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
On October 13, 2022, Judge McKnight was notified that an investigation into giving her employees extra vacation leave was taking place. In response to the Notice of Full Investigation, Judge McKnight denied she gave her employees extra vacation days. However, when Judge McKnight was deposed on June 22, 2023, she admitted to granting the extra vacation leave. The Judicial Conduct Board points to this as evidence that Judge McKnight failed to cooperate with authorities amid the investigation.
Kimberly Ross-Seals Civil Complaint
On March 23, 2022, while opening the court office's daily mail, one of Judge McKnight's clerks received a civil complaint claiming Judge McKnight owed an individual $2,073.49 for an unpaid loan. Judge McKnight allegedly advised the clerk to act like the complaint was never received, which the Judicial Conduct Board says is a misdemeanor offense of obstructing the administration of the law.
Karen Johnson Favor
On July 25, 2021, Judge McKnight allegedly reached out to a contact she had who was employed by Dauphin County and had connections to the Harrisburg Police Department Record Department. Judge McKnight reportedly asked her contact to obtain a copy of the police report related to the criminal case stemming from the 2020 incident. According to the court document, Judge McKnight's contact felt pressured to carry out the request based on her position as a Magisterial District Court Judge.
Attorney Brian Perry
Attorney Brian Perry represented Judge McKnight from 2019 until December 2020 and also represented a defendant in a DUI-related case she presided over on July 18, 2022. Judge McKnight allegedly ignored an email from the Dauphin County Court Administrator advising her per President Judge John Cherry's directive, she should not preside over matters involving attorney Brian Perry.
Officer Cummings
On July 23, 2021, Judge McKnight filed a Citizen's Complaint with the City of Harrisburg against Harrisburg City Police Officer Anthony Cummings and three other officers who were involved in her 2020 arrest and criminal charges. She alleges the four officers conspired to destroy her credibility in the community. Judge McKnight would later preside over a number of cases that involved Officer Cummings, failing to recuse herself from a case where the Judicial Conduct Board says her impartiality could be reasonably questioned.
X-It Red
Judge McKnight used a Facebook profile under the name 'Sonya Marie' that contained pictures of herself in her judicial robe. On May 5, 2023, Judge McKnight posted on her Facebook page a picture of a product called 'X-It Red' with the caption, "You do not want to miss out on this great opportunity!!! All I can say is...it works, it's worth it, So let's get it. Reach out to me through messenger, phone or text." The Judicial Conduct Board claims she abused the prestige of her office by using her personal Facebook account that identifies her as a Magisterial District Judge to promote and sell a product.
Failure to Give Precedence to Duties of Judicial Office
Judge McKnight was allegedly scheduled to work night court starting the morning of January 14, 2023, to January 20, 2023. The Judicial Conduct Board claims that Judge McKnight failed to appear for her assigned duty from Jan. 14 to Jan. 16 and could not be reached when administrators tried to contact her.
The allegations have resulted in 20 counts under nine different charges. Judge McKnight will remain suspended until the Court of Judicial Discipline comes to a decision. If any of the charges are confirmed, possible sanctions against McKnight include suspension, fine or removal from office.