Opinion
1 JD 2023
10-16-2024
IN RE: JUDGE MARK B. COHEN COURT OF COMMON PLEAS 1st JUDICIAL DISTRICT PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire Attorney for the Respondent, Hon. Mark B. Cohen
Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire Attorney for the Respondent, Hon. Mark B. Cohen
MOTION OF THE RESPONDENT, THE HONORABLE MARK B. COHEN, TO CONTINUE HIS MEDICAL BENEFITS
The Respondent, Judge Mark B. Cohen, by his counsel, Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire, respectfully requests this Honorable Court Order that Judge Cohen still receive his medical benefits during the duration of its suspension, which lasts until December 31st, 2024, at which time he has mandatory retirement, for the following reasons:
1. Mr. Stretton, many years ago, set a principle that Judges who are suspended still get their medical benefits. That was set forth in Judge DeLeon's case and has continued since then.
2. Therefore, at least every case Mr. Stretton has had since then, when a Judge is suspended without pay, their medical benefits are still provided.
3. The Respondent, Judge Cohen, was notified by Beth Snyder of the Judicial Benefits Office of AOPC that now they are not including that and not giving medical benefits.
4. Mr. Stretton is respectfully requesting this Honorable Court amend its Order to allow the Respondent, Judge Cohen, to receive his medical benefits through December 31st, 2024. After that, when Judge Cohen has to mandatorily retire, he would be entitled to full medical benefits for the rest of his life. But he cannot get those due to the incorrect decision of the AOPC office, WHEREFORE, the Respondent, the Honorable Mark B. Cohen, by his counsel, Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire, respectfully requests that this Honorable Court immediately amend its Order that Judge Cohen is entitled to his full medical benefits through the time of his suspension, as every other Judge has done for the last 20-25 years, for the above stated reasons.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
I, Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire, certify that this filing complies with the provisions of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts that require filing confidential information and documents differently than non-confidential information and documents.