Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > News Items
Jailing Kids For Cash
Ursus:
--- Quote from: "psy" ---man... the shit is still hitting the fan. I would have thought this would have died down by now.
--- End quote ---
It's getting bigger. Judges Ciavarella and Conahan had a number of dummy corporations that were used to hide the cash by transferring it through a couple of times before it got deposited into their accounts. One of those companies is based in Jupiter, Florida; Pinnacle is the name.
Gregory Zappala (owner of the two juvie facilities) is also an Attorney. I've got a pretty strong hunch that he is immediate family or once removed from the Allegheny District Attorney's Stephen Zappala Jr. He and Robert Powell (former co-owner) have partnered on a number of projects. The change of hands meant nothing; business continued as usual.
And the construction company, Mericle? The owner gives huge donations to Republican candidates in the area, people whose names seem to crop up with obscure connections to this whole scam. Additionally, the mystery lawyer named as co-defendant "Joe Doe" in the lawsuit posted by Samantka is probably the CFO of this company.
Ursus:
[Local news video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Part 4 – Do You Feel Betrayed?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:57pm EST
The arrests of Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan made national news. People were outraged by the extent of abuse exercised by the disgraced judges, all in the name of greed.
The judges we spoke with say the corrupt behavior of their former colleagues has affected them professionally and personally. In fact, the word "betrayal" came up often.
All of these judges either worked with or had contact with disgraced Judges Micheal Conahan and Mark Ciavarella. For them, it's personal. Andy asks, Do you feel betrayed? They wore the robe like you. They didn't live up to their oath."
Judge Augello responded, "Hurt would be more appropriate than betrayed. They betrayed themselves and betrayed the public, so in a sense I feel as betrayed as everyone else feels. I worked with these individuals, I trusted them as colleagues. In that respect there’s a little bit of a degree of anger there."
"I think hurt, a lot I think. Many of us feel the same way, as every other member of the public feels. We live here, it’s our communities. We feel as the general public feels," said Judge Lupas.
President Judge Chester Muroski said, "Right now Andy it's difficult for us to make a stride on the street without some citizen looking at us, knowing who we are, and that thought is in their mind. We've said it before, is this judge like the rest of the judges? We have to straighten this mess out."
And all of the judges insist, people who appear before them can expect fairness and honesty. Judge Peter Paul Olszewski said, "It's very important for the public to know the black, dark cloud that has fallen on top of this courthouse, all the evil that black cloud represents, has not made its way into our courtrooms. There is a level playing field. No results are preordained or predetermined."
And the stigma of corruption may be hard to get rid of. These judges say their mission is to make sure it never happens again. But they are realistic. A tarnished name, a bad reputation, is hard to overcome. "Where as a reputation can take a lifetime to build, it can virtually be destroyed in a single incident single matter. Collectively I dare say we share the view that the reputation of our court system is in serious jeopardy. We are committed to rebuilding the foundation of that court system, matter by matter, and it will take considerable time to make that happen," said Judge Burke.
The full extent of the damage left behind by the corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse hasn't been determined. People are questioning how wide spread the corruption is within the courthouse. In Part 5 of You Be The Judge, find out how the public's opinion could affect the future of some of the judges.
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 5 – Are You Worried About Retention?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:56pm EST
The Luzerne County judges who remain on the bench now have to pick up the pieces as the federal corruption probe moves on. Three of the judges are seeking retention, but they're concerned they could be rejected by an angry public.
All of these judges say they want to regain the public trust in the court system. But for three of them, Judge Olszewski, Judge Musto and Judge Burke, that trust, or lack of, could mean the end of their judicial career.
Andy asks, "Are you concerned about guilt by association? No matter what you say here, in public or the courtroom, people will say they are just like the other two guys. What are they hiding? Are you concerned about that?"
Olszewski said, "I'm concerned right now that emotions of the public are riding high. But I ask the public for them to assume the role of judge, I want the public to be the judge. I want the public to judge me upon my years and record of public service,”
Judge Thomas Burke said, "I fully understand that the public is angry, justifiably angry. I'm mindful that in theory that can have an impact on any candidate for retention during this particular year. Beyond that, I'm hopeful the public overtime will be more discriminating than to simply go by emotions alone, guilt by association. They indeed need to scrutinize the record of individual judges."
Judge Musto added, "I think it’s very unfair to brush everybody with the same brush, because I think in that fashion, some good people are going to be swept aside. I would hope the citizens would look at each person and see what they're doing."
Judge Muroski is urging voters to take a good hard look at all of those who would be judge. The future of the court is at stake. "I want the public to look at those candidates. Not look at who runs the biggest ads, nicest ads, how they run. Look at their background, their experience, the personality of who’s running for vacancies," he said.
And Judge Musto is in a unique position. He has a different perspective. Musto was defeated by Judge Conahan in a hard-fought campaign for the bench back in 1993. In 2008 Judge Conahan unexpectedly retired from that seat. Sources say it was because he knew he was under federal investigation.
Musto was appointed to fill that seat and has now decided to run for that position. "It's very ironic. I'm sitting in the same position. I would like to know what would have happened if I was elected in 1993. Things would be different. I am not going to look back. I had a lot to offer in 1993. I'm looking forward," he said.
The corruption at the courthouse has people questioning the integrity of all the judges in Luzerne County. However, these judges are determined to regain the public's trust and support. Part of their plan to restore faith in the system is to encourage more people to sit in their courtrooms. The judges tell us more about restoring the reputation of the Luzerne County court system in Part 6 of You Be The Judge.
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 6 – How Do You Restore Public Trust
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:55pm EST
The corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse has left a black cloud over the dome. In this last segment, the judges talk about the future. Can the Luzerne County court system survive this corruption scandal?
These judges say they are determined to restore the public trust and confidence in the Luzerne County court system. They sat down with Eyewitness News to show the public that there is no vale of secrecy over the courthouse. From here on in, even as the federal probe continues, this is a very different courthouse. It’s an open and transparent courthouse.
Judge Thomas Burke said, "I'd like to believe the same justice system that's been tarnished can be relied upon to readdress the wrongs that many think have occurred. I would emphasize to the community that fairness and impartiality is the resolve of all my colleagues."
"Sometimes it’s said turn a negative into a positive. Right now a very big negative is staring everyone in the face. But I hope that and am confident that, in the long run, it may take a long time, positives can come out of this,” said Lupas.
Judge Augello said, "Over the course of the entire American democracy there have been people who violated their oath. But the system is a strong system, constitutional system, it will prevail. People can have trust in their institutions."
"In order to regain the trust and confidence of the public, this must be a sustained effort, must be a determined effort, one that’s not just going to be done over a short period of time. It must be done over a long period of time. We have to invite the public into our courtroom. I invite the public in to judge what we do to scrutinize our decisions."
President Judge Chester Muroski says he is determined to keep the doors of the courthouse open, now and in the future. "We need to have the public come in. Please look at us. Look at us closely. I made the statement the day I was sworn in, if we're remiss in any of our responsibilities we should be held accountable," he said.
These judges say, judge them on what they do and not the actions or misdeeds of others. "Measure their performances. Measure whether they have lived up to commitments they made when they took the oath of office, when they committed to be fair and impartial, when they committed to uphold the rule of the law. And I try to remind myself everyday," said Burke.
And Muroski says their record, in a brief 30 days or so, shows that the practices of the past, the one man rule, is over. "We've come a long way. The budget impasse has been settled. We exceeded the goal that was put before us of 1.9 million dollars to reduce our staff and our expenditures. We're up to something like 2.3 million. We have laid off, dispensed with 56 positions. We have settled the conflict counsel issue in that we have gone back to a salary situation, that is still under study. We have studied central court. We have gone so far as to change the reassessment. This is not just one of us doing all of this. It’s all of us acting together as a body. That's our goal, and to inspire in our citizens we are trying doing the best we can."
Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
Ursus:
This is the last article in that 7-part series.
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[Local news video coverage of the following story accessible from title link.]
Local news / Wilkes-Barre, PA
Part 7 – Who's Next?
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Mar 5, 2009 @05:54pm EST
This federal investigation is far from over. Our sources say more arrests are coming. So where do we go from here?
Suspended Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan plead guilty to fraud charges and face at least 87 months, that's just over 7 years, in a federal prison. They will be sentenced later this summer. For now they remain free on bail.
There are other players as this investigation continues. Former Court Administrator William Sharkey senior faces 10 years in prison and will pay restitution after pleading guilty to stealing $70,000 in seized gambling money. Sharkey has agreed to give up his pension. He will also be sentenced sometime in the summer and remains free on bail.
Sandy Brulo, a former supervisor in the Luzerne County Juvenile Probation Office, is charged with tampering with public records. She faces at least 10 years in prison for altering a juvenile record, a record that was subpoenaed as part of a lawsuit field on behalf of several juveniles. She faces 20 years in prison. A hearing in federal court is set for March 20th. She is free on bail.
And Luzerne County Prothonatary Jill Moran is cooperating with federal authorities. She contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office and said she was being used by others to commit fraud and was aware of possible criminal activity. She could face charges if investigators determine she is giving them false information. Moran will resign her county position March 13th.
The I-Team has also learned that target letters have been sent to as many as 10 lawyers in Luzerne County. Sources say they will be questioned in this probe. We've also learned at least one Luzerne County District Justice has been interviewed by the FBI as well as three Luzerne County judges.
While the federal corruption investigation continues, the I-Team will keep you updated as this story continues to unfold.
All the judges agree regaining the public trust will not be easy, but they are committed to making it happen. In the end it's you, the voters, who will decide if they've succeeded. You be the judge.
Copyright (c) 1998 - 2009 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
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