Jane Orie

PITTSBURGH — A Western Pennsylvania judge says the conflict of interest law used to charge Sen. Jane Orie with illegally using her office staff to do campaign work isn’t unconstitutionally vague — but the judge has yet to rule whether investigators illegally searched her phone, e-mail and computer records.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Manning ruled Monday that it’s up to a jury to decide whether Orie crossed “a clear line” against using state resources to benefit her or her family.

Prosecutors contend Orie, a Republican, benefited from political campaign work done by her staff for herself and her sister, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.

Melvin has not been charged though a third Orie sister who works as the justice’s aide, Janine, is also scheduled for trial with the senator starting Feb. 7.

Orie represents the southern part of Butler County.