Former Traffic Court judge’s aide testifies at trial

Jurors in the federal ticket-fixing case against five former Philadelphia Traffic Court judges heard testimony Tuesday from another judge's assistant, who said his boss participated in a long-standing practice at the court of extending special treatment to friends, family, and political allies.

The testimony of Kevin O'Donnell, former personal assistant to Traffic Court Judge Michael Lowry, echoed that of previous court employees, who described for jurors the process by which judges swapped requests for "consideration" among their courtrooms. Prosecutors say such backroom requests cost the city and state untold revenue in fines and fees from dismissed tickets.

Lowry and the other judges maintain they only used their judicial discretion and never accepted anything of value for their decisions.

The government expects to take up to a month to present its case.

- Jeremy Roebuck