Corbett Named Interim Mass. Probation Commissioner

A veteran court administrator has been appointed as acting commissioner of the troubled state Probation Department.

Ronald Corbett Jr., who has been executive director of the Supreme Judicial Court and is also a former deputy commissioner of probation, was named Friday to serve for two years.

John J. O'Brien resigned as commissioner last month, saying he was "being made a scapegoat" amid federal and state investigations of alleged patronage hiring in the department. O'Brien has denied wrongdoing.

Corbett's appointment was announced by Robert Mulligan, the state's chief justice for administration and management of the courts, who said he wants to bring stability to the department until a full search for a new commissioner is begun.