By now, the Orie sister saga is well known to the state’s political community. Three sisters have been charged with political corruption, essentially using state tax monies for campaign purposes. The case has several unusual aspects, not least is the fact that no examples in state history can be found for the prosecutions of three sisters for political corruption, much less a sitting state senator, a sitting Supreme Court justice, and a sibling who worked for the justice. State Senator Jane Orie was just sentenced to 2.5 to 10 years for public corruption and forgery–in all 14 counts. Her sister Joan Orie Melvin faces nine criminal charges relating to her unsuccessful 2003 Supreme Court election and her successful one in 2009. Sister Janine, who has had one mistrial already, will face trial allegedly for using tax payer resources for campaign purposes and directing the staff of Justice Melvin to do likewise. She worked for her sister from 1997 until 2010. READ MORE »