Hospital Asks to Keep Tax Assessment Invalid Over Judge Conflict

A Pennsylvania appeals court correctly vacated a trial judge’s property tax rulings due to his conflict of interest by serving in a separate government position, an affected hospital owner told the state high court.

Judge John L. Braxton allegedly violated Article V of the state constitution. He breached Section 17 of the article—which outlines activities the judiciary is prohibited from—by accepting pay from the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes while concurrently assessing Prospect Crozer LLC’s nearly 60-acre hospital property in Upland Borough, the Wednesday brief said.

“Former Judge Braxton’s position on the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes is ...