The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre reported Sunday that the "double-dip" arrangement resulted in the judges receiving nearly $11 million, including nearly $4 million in per-diem payments for courtroom work plus pension and health benefits.
The report, based on information the newspaper obtained through Right-to-Know request showed Philadelphia Judge Ricardo Jackson received the most combined compensation as a senior judge - more than $176,000.
Court officials say using senior judges is more cost-effective than hiring additional full-time judges as the court system handles about 3.4 million cases a year.
Pennsylvania judges are required to retire at age 70. Senior judges typically are assigned to cases in their home counties or adjoining counties.
