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HARRISBURG - A contrite Judge Ann Lokuta apologized for the pain her behavior on the bench caused attorneys and court staff who appeared before her and vowed she would agree to any restrictions the Court of Judicial Discipline imposes upon her it the panel allows her to remain on the bench.

 In a five-minute statement before the court, Lokuta said she has been “humbled” by case brought against her by the state Judicial Conduct Board. While insisting she never meat to harm anyone, she acknowledged her behavior has caused some people pain.

 “I am troubled by the fact that my demeanor inflicted pain and for that I apologize,” Lokuta said.

 The long time jurist addressed the court in an attempt to persuade the 7-member panel to impose some other sanction against her other than removal from office.

 Lokuta and her attorney, Louis Sinatra, said the misconduct case has brought Lokuta extreme humiliation and embarrassment and has taken a terrible toll on her personally, financially and professionally. He said she has learned from the experience, and vowed she would accept any stipulations the court places upon her.

  Her plea for leniency was rejected by the JCB’s chief counsel, Francis Puskas, who railed against Lokuta, describing her as a “cancer” to the court system. He argued that anything less than removal would “trivialize” her misconduct and continue to bring disrepute to the judiciary.

 “To send Judge Lokuta back to the bench would condemn those people and the court system to further abuse,” Puskas said.

 The court, headed by attorney Richard Sprague, recessed until 2 p.m. It was not immediately clear whether the panel will issue a decision at that time.

 For further updates, check back with www.timesleader.com