by KYW's Tony Romeo

The chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued what one political analyst calls an “extraordinary” response to a federal lawsuit filed against his predecessor.

In its complaint, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania asserts that former state Supreme Court chief justice Ralph Cappy made a comment to one or more members of the legislature that he needed them to approve a pay raise for judges “to secure the votes of Republican justices” on cases important to lawmakers.

Now, Cappy has fired back, calling the allegations “preposterous”. The current chief justice, Ronald Castille, goes further saying “the filing parties may have subjected themselves to sanctions” and their lawyer may have subjected himself to “disciplinary action”.

Franklin and Marshall College professor and political analyst Terry Madonna:

“I think this is an extraordinary response from the court and, in some ways, is quite remarkable for the forcefulness.”

Chief justice Castille says the lawsuit “slanders” the high court.