PITTSBURGH -- State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin says she is not guilty of campaign corruption charges connected to her bids for a seat on the high court.

Melvin did not enter a plea at a hearing Friday. But she said she intends to vigorously defend herself against what she says are politically motivated charges.

Prosecutors said Friday that Melvin illegally used her taxpayer-funded office for political purposes when she was a Superior Court judge campaigning for state Supreme Court.

A grand jury report said Melvin "actively condoned and even promoted" campaign-related activity by state-paid workers in a "tale of corruption" that also involved her sister, convicted state Sen. Jane Orie.

The high court relieved her of judicial and administrative duties earlier Friday.

A letter from a Melvin attorney to Chief Justice Ronald Castille denies any wrongdoing by the judge.