Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > News Items
Jailing Kids For Cash
wdtony:
--- Quote from: "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?
--- End quote ---
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:
--- Quote from: "wdtony" ---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.
--- End quote ---
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:
[Local news video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
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 video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
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:
[Local news video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
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.
Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
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