Ex-Philly judge Berry charged with corruption

    A retired Philadelphia county judge faces corruption charges for allegedly using his judicial office to run his private property-management company.

    The state attorney general’s office said it arrested 72-year-old Willis Berry on Thursday and charged him with one felony count each of theft of services and conflict of interest.

    Prosecutors say Berry, a common-pleas judge, directed his judicial secretary to help handle the daily operations of his private business. They say he owned and managed as many as 16 properties, including several multi-unit rental properties.

    The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board filed the original complaint in December 2007. It was referred to the attorney general’s office in July 2013.

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    Berry did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. He turned himself in Thursday and is awaiting arraignment.

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