Jailing Kids For Cash

[Ursus]

Jeez... Now we're talking 'bout possible Mob connections...  :eek:

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Local Newspaper Files Petition in Supreme Court in Relation to Corruption

Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 @04:15pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The owners of the Citizens Voice newspaper will file a petition in the state supreme court today claiming that suspended judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have direct connections to jailed mobster William D'elia. It centers around a multi-million dollar judgment against the newspaper in a defamation lawsuit.

The Citizens' Voice newspaper is reporting that their lawyers will file a petition with the state supreme court to vacate and throw out a $3.5 million dollar defamation verdict issued by suspended judge Mark Ciavarella in June of 2006 following a non jury verdict. Ciavarella ruled in favor of a West Pitttston businessman, who claimed he was defamed in a series of special reports in 2001. Those reports came after federal agents raided his business as well as homes owned by D'elia and others.

The newspaper owners say they will produce a witness that will testify that one or both of the now disgraced judges had connection to William "Big Billy" D'elia. D'elia 62, is the longtime reputed head of the Buffalino crime family and is serving a 9 year prison term for money laundering and witness tampering.

The newspaper alleges that then president judge Michael Conahan and his first cousin, William Sharkey, steered the case into the hands of Ciavarella for a favorable ruling.

The newspaper petition alleges that Ciavarella issued one sided rulings and ignored evidence that the businessman and D'elia were close associates. The newspapers petition in part reads: the scope and subject of the newspaper articles in question. "A cascade of recent revelations of corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse strongly suggests the $3.5 million dollar verdict was rigged."

This latest revelation has people talking. Larry Pasbach of Dallas says, "I've never seen it as bad as it is here. I've lived in Chicago… Chicago is kids play compared to what happening here."

Civalrella and Conahan face 7 years in prison for taking kickbacks in connection with a private juvenile system, and Sharkey, the former court administrator, faces up to 10 years for stealing $70,000 in confiscated money.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[psy]

I hope the feds take this investigation further than PA.  I have no doubt this sort of thing is common across the nation.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Fourth Arrest in Courthouse Case

Friday, Feb 20, 2009 @08:18pm EST

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - Sandy Brulo is a powerbroker in Luzerne County court. Tonight she is an accused felon. Eyewitness News is told she tampered with public records.

Sandy Brulo says nothing and stares straight ahead as she walked with her lawyer out of federal court in Wilkes-Barre. In fact, some say she looks "glazed over". The 56 year old was the deputy director of forensic programs in the juvenile probation office. She was there for 26 years.

This is where Brulo worked inside Penn Place office building, basically a courthouse annex. Investigators say she changed public records involving at least one juvenile case from February 1st to the 20th. Today this comes as civil suits are being filed against the county involving juvenile cases.

Brulo's office worked closely with former President Judge Mark Ciavarella when he handed down punishment. Ciavarella is accused of sending teenagers to a private detention facility, in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks. This was a kids' for cash scheme.

Federal agents say she altered a juvenile record with the intent to impair its integrity for use in federal proceedings. She faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 dollar fine.  She is the fourth Luzerne County official charged by the U.S. attorney's office, including judges Civarella, Conahan and former court administrator William Sharkey.

For taxpayers, it's almost too much to believe. Jim Swafford, a taxpayer says, "It makes you wonder if the judicial system is completely broken or not because a lot of people got hurt for money. It shouldn't be that way." Tabitha Swafford, another taxpayer says, "I feel bad for the familiy's kids that were sent there. It wasn't necessary to go there. They had to go through hard times and it just wasn't necessary for them."

Judge Chester Muroski suspended Brulo without pay. She is free on her own recognizance. She will have a hearing on March 20th at federal court in Wilkes-Barre.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

The plot thickens. One has to wonder just how much Moran knows, given that she saw fit resign at this hour...

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
High Ranking Luzerne Co. Official Resigns

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Monday, Feb 23, 2009 @09:50pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A high ranking Luzerne County official has abruptly turned in her resignation. It comes as federal investigators continue their probe into corruption at the courthouse.

Eyewitness News has confirmed that Luzerne County Prothonatary Jill Moran will resign. The governor's office confirms that she sent them a letter saying she would step down from her position.

Moran says she is resigning effective March 13th, because the circumstances in the Luzerne County Courthouse are making her presence in the office a distraction. She says she is resigning so that the office may continue to operate effectively.

The circumstances she is talking about are of course the ongoing federal probe into corruption at the courthouse. Four officials have been charged, including county Judges Mark Ciavarealla and Michael Conahan, Court Administrator William Sharkey, Sr. and most recently Probation Supervisor Sandy Brulo.

Moran has not been charged in that investigation, but she is the law partner of Attorney Robert Powell of Butler Township. He also has not been charged, but has been mentioned in the probes involving Ciavarella and Conahan.

He was one of the owners of a child care center at the focus of a "kids for cash" scheme. Powell insists he was being extorted by the judges for money in connection with the operation of that center.

The I-Team has learned that Moran has been questioned in that federal investigation, but has not been charged.

We spoke to her last week about the ongoing investigation. All she would say then is she is in her office making sure the work of the people gets done. She would not comment on any investigation. She was not in the office on Monday.

The governor's office will have to name a replacement.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Moran Cuts Deal With U.S. Attorney

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009 @05:30pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The I-Team has learned that the U.S. Attorney's office has filed information regarding Luzerne County Prothonatary Jill Moran. This comes one day after she announced that she would resign.

The U.S. Attorney's office filed the paperwork at federal court in Scranton around 10:30 this morning. It says that Moran has agreed to resign her position as Prothonatary and will cooperate with federal investigators. It says she came forward with information about corruption and fraud at the Luzerne County Courthouse.

The 12-page document details Moran's cooperation with investigators. According to the agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Moran will not face criminal charges if she continues to cooperate with the investigation. Moran says she will work with investigators to prevent future fraud against the people of the United States.

This comes one day after Moran announced that she would step down as of March 13th. Her name has come up in media reports about the corruption investigation, since she is the law partner of Attorney Bob Powell of Butler Township.

Powell has been mentioned as part of a "kids for cash" scheme involving Judges Mark Ciavarella and Micheal Conahan. Powell says he was being extorted by the judges and did nothing wrong.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Central Court's Future Debated at Hearing

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009 @04:40pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Should Luzerne County's Central Court stay or go? That's a question debated at a hearing Tuesday evening.

President Judge Chester Muroski held a hearing to find out the pros and cons of the facility. Central Court was started in 2002 by Judge Michael Conahan, but many people have called it a money pit.

Police officers from all over the county are weighing in. Kingston Township Chief Jim Balavage said, "In a poll of my officers the last couple of weeks, its about 95-percent approval rating of central court but it could be improved with some logistical and some technical changes."

People who are against Central Court want hearings to be held at their local magistrate's office.

In other court news former Court Administrator William Sharkey was officially fired Tuesday. Last week Sharkey pled guilty in Scranton to embezzling $70,000 in gambling money. Sharkey had been on unpaid suspension and medical leave before being fired.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

This article refers back to that "secret probation parole program" that Judge Mark Ciavarella had going for adult inmates. See HERE for some earlier media coverage.

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Halfway House Caught in Middle in Corruption Case

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 @04:37pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The I-Team has confirmed that the FBI was in the Luzerne County Courthouse again this week and did speak with two judges. It's all part of their ongoing investigation. They say that does not mean those judges are the focus of the investigation, but they could provide background information on certain aspects of the federal probe.

And today we hear form the owner of a halfway house who got caught up in the controversy surrounding Judge Mark Ciavarella.

Crossing Over on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre is where some inmates, released early by former Judge Mark Ciavarella, were sent for rehabilitation. But some judges, like Peter Paul Olszewski, said they were never told about the change in sentence. They say [they] should have been since they handled the cases and some inmates should not have been released.

Jim Casey is the owner/operator of Crossing Over. He says he was following court orders. "Judge Ciavarella came in and said now he was going to be the only sentencing judge, that we need to talk to him. He explained it as being a simpler process when in reality it wasn't. It's a lot simpler for the sentencing judge. He has all information, he can get more people here."

Casey says his record stands on its own merit. The people who come here, the majority turn their lives around. He says he was not part of any Ciavarella conspiracy. He just wants to change the lives of those in trouble. "Out of 111 people that graduated our program, only two people are back in jail. That is the difference. They don't repeat. If they don't go to jail, the prisoner becomes a taxpayer, taxpayers don't pay, we all win," he explained.

New President Judge Chester Muroski changed the policy. Now the original judge will handle the case from start to finish.


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[Ursus]

GahLEEEE... yet another lawsuit. My bet is that there will be even more.

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Third Lawsuit Filed in Connection with Courthouse Corruption

Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 @04:25pm EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A third lawsuit has now been filed in connection with corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse. The juvenile law center in Philadelphia filed a class action lawsuit this morning. The complaint names more than a dozen defendants including judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan. Both judges pled guilty this month to taking kickbacks after arranging contracts between the county and private juvenile detention centers. Thursday's lawsuit represents more than 100 children and their families seeking compensation.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

Finally, for the first time, local Pennsylvania media coverage mentions PA Child Care owner Gregory Zappala by name. What's up with that? See HERE for an intriguing possible connection between Gregory Zappala and Allegheny District Attorney, Stephen Zappala, Jr.

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Juvenile Injustice System

Reported by: Eric Scheiner
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 @06:53pm EST

WILKES-BARRE -- Corrupt judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have admitted their guilt in taking kickback money for sending kids to certain juvenile centers. Now there's several different civil lawsuits being filed looking for monetary damages.

The judges are named in these lawsuits as defendants and in some cases, certain businessmen such as the owners of PA Child Care Robert Powell and Gregory Zappala are named as well. Who else should be listed?

Are those that turned a blind eye to the criminal activity in the courthouse share blame? Will state and county taxpayers end up having to pay for the deplorable criminal activities of the judges?

WYOU Interactive discusses the issues with Attorney Barry Dyller, Investigative Reporter Joe Holden and Lourdes Rosario of the Juvenile Law Center.

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Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Conahan/Mafia Ties

Saturday, Feb 28, 2009 @12:07am EST

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -

It all has to do with a series of reports the Citizens Voice Newspaper did in 2001. It claims Conahan had breakfast at least twice a month with D'elia. According to the paper, it was to make sure D'elia's friend, a Mountain Top business man, won a defamation suit against the paper. The Citizens Voice wants the State Supreme court to throw out the 3.5 million dollar verdict.

And for the first time we're hearing from the remaining judges. Field anchor Andy Mehalshick has more on this unprecedented event. It has never been done before in local broadcast journalism, a sit down interview with the "court en banc". Six of the remaining eight judges agreed to sit down with Andy Mehalshick to talk about the dark cloud that hangs over the courthouse. This comes as four high ranking Luzerne County officials face federal charges. This includes two of their former colleagues, suspended Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan. They admit to taking millions of dollars in kickbacks in a “Kids for cash scheme” in connection with a juvenile detention facility. These judges told Andy they feel betrayed.

Judge Joseph Augello, of Luzerne County says, "First of all I was shocked by the sheer breadth of the allegations. But I was more concerned that the pubic would now distrust everyone in public office. They mistrust public officials to begin with and the trust in the court would take a big hit."

The judges say they hope this interview will be a step in regaining the public trust in the legal system.

Andy's entire interview will air Thursday at 5:30 on WBRE TV.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[wdtony]

Finally, for the first time, local Pennsylvania media coverage mentions PA Child Care owner Gregory Zappala by name. What's up with that? See HERE for an intriguing possible connection between Gregory Zappala and Allegheny District Attorney, Stephen Zappala, Jr.

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Juvenile Injustice System

Reported by: Eric Scheiner
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 @06:53pm EST

WILKES-BARRE -- Corrupt judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have admitted their guilt in taking kickback money for sending kids to certain juvenile centers. Now there's several different civil lawsuits being filed looking for monetary damages.

The judges are named in these lawsuits as defendants and in some cases, certain businessmen such as the owners of PA Child Care Robert Powell and Gregory Zappala are named as well. Who else should be listed?

This is all fantastic coverage of this Ursus, thank you.

I was wondering if Gregory Zappala, Stephen Zappala Jr. and one of the founding ass-hats of Straight Inc., "Joseph Zappala" are connected or related in any way. That would be interesting.

[Ursus]

I was wondering if Gregory Zappala, Stephen Zappala Jr. and one of the founding ass-hats of Straight Inc., "Joseph Zappala" are connected or related in any way. That would be interesting.

Gregory and Stephen Zappala Jr. of Pennsylvania do appear to be related. Connecting them to Joseph Zappala of Florida is more difficult. In all fairness, "Zappala" is not the most unusual last name.

Personally, I think someone should really look into the construction company that built these two juvenile facilities. Where there's fresh concrete being vested...

Given the shady aspects that have come to light in so many other corners of this whole "Cash For Kids" scenario, I wouldn't be too surprised if it turned out that the construction company was up to their ears in it as well.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Luzerne County Courthouse Corruption Probe Expands

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Monday, Mar 2, 2009 @11:37pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The federal probe into corruption at the Luzerne County courthouse is widening. The I-Team has learned that federal investigators are expanding their investigation.

Sources close to the case tell the I-Team that "target letters" have been sent to several lawyers in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties. Those letters reportedly say they will be questioned about information they may have about corruption within the Luzerne County legal system.

The I-Team has also learned that at least one district justice from Luzerne County has been questioned by federal agents.

All of this comes in the aftermath of the arrest of four high ranking Luzerne County officials. Suspended Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan pled guilty to taking millions in kickbacks in connection with a juvenile detention center in Pittston Township.

Also busted was former Court Administrator William Sharkey, Sr. He admits to stealing $70,000 in seized gambling money. And Sandy Brulo, a Probation Supervisor, is accused of tampering with public records.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will not comment on our information.

And coming up this Thursday at 5:30 it's an I-Team exclusive, a special report called "You Be the Judge."

We will talk with 6 of the remaining Luzerne County judges for the first time since this investigation broke. You will hear how they feel about the case and what they say has to be done to regain the public trust.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

This is about a former judicial colleague that Judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella allegedly railroaded out of the Luzerne County Courthouse not too long ago.

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Lokuta Files New Appeal With State Supreme Court

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 @05:40pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- There are strong objections to her removal from the Luzerne County bench. Now former Judge Ann Lokuta just escalated the fight, taking her argument to the State Supreme Court.

She's riding the coattails of the county's corruption scandal. Her appeal claims the proceeding against Ann Lokuta from its pursuit to the outcome was so tainted, nothing less than complete exoneration would satisfy justice.

Ann Lokuta believes she was railroaded. Filing hundreds of pages with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, she's renewing a battle to get her job back.

Her appeal alleges case fixing and a web of relationships that amounted to conspiracy. Lokuta claims Judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella manifested a war against her. She alleges the witnesses who testified against her were beholden to a corrupt power structure determined to achieve her dismissal.

The appeal claims President Judge Chester Muroski in 2005 was willing to testify about problems in the juvenile justice system at a county hearing. But it's alleged Muroski had a change of heart.

Testimony from Lokuta's former attorney Sam Stretton reads:

"...Conahan gave Judge Muroski his chambers, allotted $30,000 of repairs, and Muroski won't talk to us anymore..."

"...I want you to see what's happening to people up there... and if we get to trial on this, I know where the bodies are buried up there... you're gonna see the same thing is happening to each person..."[/list]
In Lokuta's trial, there wasn't a mention of bodies or bombshells hardly a suggestion of impropriety at the courthouse. Reached by phone, Muroski said he has no idea why his name appears in Lokuta's appeal. Judge Muroski denied even speaking with Conahan, saying there was no love lost.

The appeal sheds light on actions by Lokuta in 2006 to reveal a federal investigation into the judges. Orders by Judge Richard Sprague of the Court of Judicial Discipline demanded the agents be named in order to testify. Lokuta abandoned the defense, fearing the investigation would be compromised.

Lokuta claims she did not receive a fair trial. Judge Sprague headed the court. The appeal claims Sprague had represented the detention center PA Child Care against an important Lokuta witness. Sprague was asked to recuse himself from the case and refused.

The appeal also suggests Sprague may have been aware of the federal investigation and it is alleged he may have known of:

"…Conahan's ability to influence and pressure individuals..."

"...which makes his (Sprague's) refusal to reopen the case even more concerning..."[/list]
And now all of this goes to the justices of the state Supreme Court for consideration.

Back to Judge Muroski quickly, he provided us with a letter, dating back to 2005. In it, he was blowing the whistle on how money was appropriated in the juvenile justice system.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

[Ursus]

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Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Controversial Luzerne Co. Probation Program Being Phased Out

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 @05:35pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A controversial probation program in Luzerne County is being phased out. The I-Team first told you about the program last week.

It's called "Crossing Over." It came under fire from several judges who say suspended Judge Mark Ciavarella overstepped his authority. Crossing over is located on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. It is a halfway house for inmates. They can be sent there when they serve their minimum sentence.

But it became the center of controversy when Judge Ciavarella began sending inmates there without the knowledge of the original sentencing judge.

Judges like Peter Paul Olszweski were angry and concerned since some of those inmates were violent and he felt Ciavarella should have checked with him first before releasing them.

Tuesday the Court en Banc, led by President Judge Chester Muroski, recommended phasing out referrals to Crossing Over.

Last week the I-Team spoke to the owner of Crossing Over who insisted that his record speaks for itself, that they have helped inmates turn their lives around.

Judge Muroski has made it clear that any program the court feels may have "baggage" will be looked at, and if need be, eliminated.

The fate of Central Court is also still up in the air.


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