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.

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