Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > News Items
Jailing Kids For Cash
psy:
It would be nice to see this sort of thing happening all across the US. I'm sure this area of pennsylvania isn't the only place tainted by this sort of corruption.
Ursus:
The next set of seven articles comprise a series, of sorts, partially summarizing salient features of the Luzerne County Courthouse Corruption probe from a local perspective. You Be The Judge - An Eyewitness News Special Report can be accessed from the central link, or individually as follows.
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[Local news video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Part 1 – How Did We Get Here?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @06:00pm EST
Welcome to our Eyewitness News Special Report, You Be The Judge. We are taking you behind the scenes of the Luzerne County Courthouse. It’s a courthouse under a dark cloud of suspicion, in the midst of a federal corruption investigation.
You'll hear from 6 of the remaining 8 judges, who now have the task of rebuilding the public's faith in the court system. But first, a look back, at how we got to this point.
Rumors became reality on January 27th of this year when high-powered Luzerne County judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella were charged with fraud.
It all had to do with their connection to a juvenile detention center in Pittston Township. The two plead guilty to accepting 2.6 millions dollars in kickbacks to make sure that juveniles were sent to those facilities. Some of these juveniles never had a lawyer and were simply sent away by then President Judge Ciavarella.
"The defendants engaged in fraud by taking millions of dollars from two unnamed persons in connection with the construction and operation and expansion of juvenile detention facilities here in Luzerne County and elsewhere," said U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson on January 26th.
We have since learned that the kickback money was sent to businesses they had a connection with. Conahan and Ciavarella will serve at least 7 years in prison, be disbarred from the practice of law and pay restitution.
But above all, the highest price they paid, most agree, is the violation of the public trust. "When a judge violates this oath, when a judge violates the solemn vow, the judge violates the right to an honest services the judge violates the law," added Carlson.
Both judges will face a formal sentencing in several months. Most legal experts say the aftermath of their arrest will impact the Luzerne County Courthouse for years to come.
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
Part 2 – Who Are the Other Judges?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:59pm EST
The Eyewitness News I-Team invited all 8 of the remaining judges to sit down and talk about how the corruption at the courthouse. Let's meet the 6 judges who were able to join us.
First up is Judge Joseph Augello. The Pittston-area native has been a lawyer for 30 years. He was appointed to the bench in 1990 and then was elected in 1991 and retained in 2001. He also served as a district justice for 15 years before becoming a judge.
Judge Thomas Burke is 62 years old and is from West Pittston. He has been practicing law for 25 years. He was appointed to the bench in 1998 when Correale Stevens was elected to the state Superior Court. He is up for retention.
Also taking part is Judge Dave Lupas, who hails from the Plains Township area. The 44-year-old was elected to the bench in 2008. He was the Luzerne County District Attorney from 1999 to 2008.
President Judge Chester Muroski is 69 years old and has been a lawyer since 1966. He was the District Attorney for four years and was elected to the bench in 1982. He was elected President Judge in January after this federal probe broke.
We will also talk with Judge Joseph Musto. The Pittston-area native is 66 years old. He's been a member of the bar since the mid 1960s. He was appointed to the bench when Judge Michael Conahan unexpectedly retired in 2008. He is now running for that seat.
And finally Judge Peter Paul Olszewski. The 49-year-old is from Wilkes-Barre. He has been a lawyer since 1984. Olszewski served as District Attorney from 1992 to 1999, when he was elected judge. He is also up for retention.
We also invited Judge Hugh Mundy and Judge Michael Toole. Mundy had a personal commitment that day and Judge Toole was involved in a trial.
The judges, by law, could not talk about details of the investigation. But, they could talk about how the scandal affects them, and the future of the court, in the midst of this scandal.
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
Part 3 – What Was Your Reaction?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:58pm EST
It is a rare sight. Six judges being interviewed inside a courtroom. They insist its all part of regaining the public trust in the midst of an unfolding federal investigation. Andy asked the judges, "When those rumors became reality, what were you thinking personally?"
Judge Burke responded, "Initially my concern was the institution of the judiciary, that the court system will continue while under attack, and that it would be paramount importance that the remaining members of the bench gather together to restore public trust and confidence in the courts."
"First of all I was shocked by the sheer breadth of the allegations, but I was more concerned with understanding that the public would now distrust everyone in public office. There's an underlying mistrust in public office to begin with. And with the current situation in court, now I was concerned how we could inspire public trust and confidence back in the court. I knew it was going to take a big hit," said Judge Augello.
Judge Joseph Musto answered, "I was absolutely shocked by again, references have been made about the breadth of the allegations, I just could not understand how two individuals in the position they had achieved would do something like they did."
"I think the realization that we had to get over the initial shock move forward and try and restore and instill public confidence in our system here in Luzerne County," described Lupas.
President Judge Chester Muroski says it's all about transparency. "I think we, as a body, demonstrated to the public that we are not separate judges. We are a true Court en Banc which as you've said in my memory didn't exist before we operated as a unit, as a body. One man rule no longer exists in this county," he said.
Many people have been outraged by the actions of Ciavarella and Conahan. The two men violated the trust of the people and abused their power as judges.
As their former colleagues tell us, they're also dealing with the betrayal. We'll hear more on how the actions of the disgraced judges have personally affected them in Part 4 of You Be The Judge.
Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
psy:
man... the shit is still hitting the fan. I would have thought this would have died down by now.
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