Nader loses bid to set aside judgment on court costs

HARRISBURG - Commonwealth Court is rejecting former presidential candidate Ralph Nader's attempt to set aside a judgment against him for the cost of reviewing his 2004 nominating papers.

The court on Thursday ruled that opening or vacating the judgment was not justified by newly discovered evidence that employees of the House Democratic caucus may have been used illegally to help keep Nader off the ballot.

A judge called Nader's signature-gathering process "the most deceitful and fraudulent exercise ever perpetuated" against that court. Nader and his vice presidential running mate were ordered to pay $81,000 for stenographers, transcripts and other court costs.

- AP