PA Judge Lied About His Address To Get The Job, DA Says

A judge in Pennsylvania will face criminal charges himself, after officials say he lied about where he lived in order to be appointed to the bench.

John R. Caffese has been the Magisterial District Judge for Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships since July — despite not actually living there, the DA says.
Photo Credit: *Monroe County District Attorney's Office*

Mac Bullock

12/02/2022 12:11 p.m.

John R. Caffese, who has served as Magisterial District Judge for Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships since July, was arraigned on Thursday, Dec. 1 on multiple felony offenses, said Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine Jr. in a statement.

Prosecutors say Caffese, 36, claimed to live in Tobyhanna while actually living in Stroudsburg — a violation of state law, which requires appointees to live in their districts for at least one year, according to the DA.

From April 20 to June 13, during the leadup to his appointment, officials say Caffese "took steps" to obscure his real residency and secure the position. For four months after being appointed on July 8, investigators say he collected $20,036.18 in wages despite knowing he was legally ineligible for the job.

Caffese faces eight felony charges related to theft and receiving stolen property, as well as four misdemeanor counts of giving false statements and obstructing the law, according to state court records.

The judge was released on $50,000 bail and is due back in court for a formal arraignment on Jan. 25, the DA added.

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