LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGES INDICTED IN CORRUPTION PROBE- PROFITING FROM SENDING JUVENILES TO DETENTION FACILITIES

These judges in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania violated the public trust and have harmed children. I had spoken in the past about these concerns, and it is very positive that action to bring these public officials to task. However- I have also noted that Luzerne County is not the only place where this sort of corruption appears to be occurring. We must continue to be diligent and expose these sort of situations and do what is right for our children! I will certainly be collaborating with a number of grassroots organizations and others on these issues throughout Pennsylvania and nationwide. I am pleased to say that in all of the situations I have been involved in that seemed grim and hopeless, with much determination and patience, justice was won. We must press on.

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.
www.humanepsychiatry.info





Update: Judges indicted in Luzerne corruption probe



The Luzerne County Courthouse.


By MICHAEL R. SISAK AND MICHAEL P. BUFFER
STAFF REPORT
Published: Monday, January 26, 2009
Updated: Monday, January 26, 2009 1:43 PM EST
Two Luzerne County judges were indicted this morning on charges relating to the operation of two juvenile detention centers.

President Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, 58, and former President Judge Michael T. Conahan are accused of collecting more than $2 million from the construction, expansion and operation of juvenile detention facilities, and for placing juveniles in those facilities in Luzerne County and Western Pennsylvania.

The indictment charges both judges with engaging in a scheme to defraud the public of their honest services and with conspiring to defraud the IRS.


Ciavarella and Conahan have filed a plea agreement, signed by both judges. The judges stipulated they will resign their judgeship and be disbarred. They will serve 87 months in federal prison and make restitution as stipulated by the court.


Earlier today, Judge Chester B. Muroski announced Ciavarella resigned as Luzerne County president judge.

Muroski's secretary, Sean Duesler, handed out copies of a one-line note Ciavarella sent to Gov. Rendell dated Jan. 23. It said, "Please accept this letter as my official notice to you that I am resigning effective immediately from my position as President Judge of the Eleventh District." (Read Ciavarella's resignation letter / Watch video of Muroski's press conference)

Ciavarella sent copies of the letter to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and to his eight colleagues on the Luzerne County bench.

Muroski, the eldest member of the Luzerne County judiciary, will oversee the administration of the courts until an en banc meeting can be scheduled and a vote of the judges taken. State law requires the meeting be held after 72 hours notice is given.

"I am confident that the current members of this court are prepared to address the following priorities in an expedition manner," Muroski said at an 11:30 a.m. news conference in his court room on the third floor of the Luzerne County Courthouse.

"First, to maintain the function of this court by conducting the business of our court on a timely basis.

"Second, to make every effort to restore public trust and confidence in the judiciary. And third, to make a concerted effort to resolve the county-court budget impasse and the related litigation."

U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson scheduled a 1:30 p.m. press conference at the federal courthouse to discuss an ongoing probe into the Luzerne County Courthouse.