Retired Pennsylvania Judge Appeals Fraud Conviction

A retired Pennsylvania Superior Court judge is appealing his conviction on charges of falsely collecting $440,000 from insurance companies.

Michael Joyce was sentenced Tuesday to three years and 10 months in federal prison. He was convicted in November of two counts of mail fraud and six counts of money laundering.

Prosecutors say the suburban Erie man exaggerated neck and back injuries from an August 2001 crash to collect the insurance money.

Joyce says he made mistakes and was sloppy in his letters to the insurance companies, but has steadfastly maintained his innocence. A motion filed on his behalf Thursday doesn’t specify the reasons for the appeal.
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Information from: Erie Times-New