Karoly v. Mancuso

OPINION

Justice SAYLOR.

In this direct appeal involving alleged intentional violations of the Wiretap Act, we consider whether the Commonwealth Court erred in granting a defense motion for summary judgment.

I. Background

Pennsylvania’s Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act (the “Wiretap Act,” or the “Act”)1 is designed to protect individual privacy while also giving law enforcement authorities a tool to combat crime. The statute generally prohibits intercepting, using, or disclosing private communications except pursuant to specified procedures. See, e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 5708…