Justice to Be served in Luzerne County PA?

The Times Leader is reporting the "imminent arrest" and charges against two Luzerne County judges who have been under investigation for political corruption for nearly 3 years by U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson.

President Judge Mark A. Ciavarella and former President Judge Michael T. Conahan are rumored by court watchers to be the two judges facing arrest. An unnamed Court Official possibly the Court Executive officer is to be charged as well.

The investigations into the county have been public knowledge for several months as federal agents have served search warrants and subpoenas on several court offices.

Federal agents in June served a search warrant on the county’s Juvenile Probation Department seeking financial records related to the placement of juveniles at the PA Child Care and Western PA Child Care centers. Those centers were formerly owned by attorney Robert Powell of Butler Township.

Paul McGarry, administrative director for the court system, said previously that the FBI sought administrative records, including billing statements and records for the number of children who were placed at the centers.

In August, FBI agents served subpoenas on the county treasurer’s office seeking records related to the court system. Sources previously said that investigation focused on whether money confiscated from gambling raids was turned over to the treasurer’s office.

The Times leader articles are here.

Judges to Be Charged

Ciavarella and Conahan are not alone.

Elmysterio


Commentary by DeWayne

Unfortunately the federal charges against Conahan and Ciavarella are unlikely to have anything to do with the late Bryan Kocis(left) a pedophile who was allowed to plead guilty to the lowest possible charge "Corruption of a minor" in 2002 although he faced trial for rape and child molestation and filming child pornography.

Judge Conahan also reviewed hundreds of hours of video featuring underage teen boys and then famously declared none of the boys looked underage to him.

There has been rampant speculation in the 6 years since Bryan Kocis was allowed to plead guilty to a single charge and avoid prison that a "special deal" was arranged with a suspected corrupt judge.

Bryan Kocis certainly alluded to and threatened an 18 yo Sean Lockhart with arrest,incarceration and death or physical assault at the hands of the corrupt Luzerne County Judiciary and Jail System in 2005.

One of the central charges in this case will involve a private Juvenile detention center run by a friend of the two judges.

Next week if Judge Michael T Conahan is charged under Federal Corruption statutes
he will no longer be a "Suspected dirty judge"

But just another in a long line of Corrupt power hungry judges whoses past has finaly caught up with them.

About time.

Don't let the cell door hit you in the ass Conahan and remember
Never Drop the Soap!

UPDATE; July Corruption Story's The Judge and the Drug Dealer

Just call me Judge Dirty!

FBI Investigation of Pennsylvania Child Care Corporation

Original Story Times Leader with comments



Sources: Judges to be charged
County court system has been under investigation

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter

Posted: January 22
Updated: Today at 6:26 AM
WILKES-BARRE – Two sources familiar with federal investigations involving the Luzerne County judiciary said authorities have concluded their probes and are expected to file charges soon, possibly as early as next week.
Read more Luzerne County Judges articles

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said two county judges and a county court official are expected to face charges. The sources could not say what those charges will be. They also declined to publicly identify the suspects because the charges have not been filed.

Speculation that the filing of charges was imminent has run rampant throughout the county courthouse during the past few weeks.

U.S. Attorney Martin Carlson declined to comment when reached late Wednesday afternoon. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a standard policy of not confirming or denying the existence of an investigation.

The investigations into the county have been public knowledge for several months as federal agents have served search warrants and subpoenas on several court offices.

Federal agents in June served a search warrant on the county’s Juvenile Probation Department seeking financial records related to the placement of juveniles at the PA Child Care and Western PA Child Care centers. Those centers were formerly owned by attorney Robert Powell of Butler Township.

Paul McGarry, administrative director for the court system, said previously that the FBI sought administrative records, including billing statements and records for the number of children who were placed at the centers.

In August, FBI agents served subpoenas on the county treasurer’s office seeking records related to the court system. Sources previously said that investigation focused on whether money confiscated from gambling raids was turned over to the treasurer’s office.

The sources said the investigation began after it was learned that some court orders directing the forfeiture of gambling proceeds did not go through the District Attorney’s office, but instead were presented directly to the court administrator’s office – a departure from standard procedure.

It could not be determined Wednesday whether the pending charges are related to those investigations, or whether other persons may also face charges.
26 Reader Comments
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ed said...

when your done there maybe you can find time to come to the WVSA and see the nut DeSanto and take him away. I can't beleve that no one has cought up with this nut

January 22, 2009 at 5:48 AM

Yvonne said...

About time. The charges will be pay to play under the unfair honest public offical act/statute, I bet. Bye Bye Birdy and the tax payers will not have to pay these corrupt Judges Pensions and Retirements. Keep looking you will find more, plus this Judges will sing and sing. Honorable Men always tell the truth once they are caught.

January 22, 2009 at 5:54 AM

J.Wallace said...

3 Down and dozens to go ...... VOTE DEMOCRAT

January 22, 2009 at 6:06 AM

taxpayer tooo !! said...

Its about TIME. I Hope they HANG THEM ALL. I also hope each 1 of them sit their A---- IN JAIL. NOT JUST A SLAP ON THE WRIST. WE NEED TO EXTERMINATE THAT CASTLE SOON. NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF TERMITES. GO GET THEM & HANG THEM.. BRING BACK HONEST JUDGE LAKUTA. SHE MAY HAVE HAD A COUPLE FAULTS, BUT NOT LIKE THESE OTHER LIAR'S & THEIF'S. KARMA..

January 22, 2009 at 6:37 AM

Jeff said...

Just knowing that at least three of the corrupted jerks at the dome will finally face their crimes, will be like a breath of fresh air to most. It's a start in the right direction. I'm sure once these three are exposed, they'll sing like rats and their fellow cronies too will fall. Nothing is going to change in Luzerne County until the last of the garbage is removed. "the investigation began after it was learned that some court orders directing the forfeiture of gambling proceeds did not go through the District Attorney’s office, but instead were presented directly to the court administrator’s office." Wonder how long that was going on, and just HOW much money is involved.

January 22, 2009 at 6:50 AM

Cityrefugee said...

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.

January 22, 2009 at 7:09 AM

Skeptical said...

I'm trying to put it in perspective, there are accused murderers that go through this entire process and sentenced faster than this investigation. Don't get me wrong, for the sake of expediency I do not want the investigation to be incomplete, but let the hammer drop already. I want to see this investigation produced and aired on A&E's FBI Files or as a Law & Order Episode!! Talk about good TV ratings.

January 22, 2009 at 7:46 AM

RWilliams said...

Robert Powell, isn't he Skreps friend?

January 22, 2009 at 7:52 AM

Carlton said...

Voting DemocRAT is what got us into this mess!

January 22, 2009 at 8:36 AM

HEY! said...

Well it's about time. The entire county needs a good cleaning out!

January 22, 2009 at 8:42 AM

scott said...

Bye, bye chitarella and conehan. You're as wrong as my spelling of your names! I just hope they put you both in with Bubba! Who's next? Gusty, Hydie, Skreppy, Fishy. Should charges not be brought against Hun, Rodant, and Harnishfinger also?

January 22, 2009 at 9:04 AM

jan said...

Long, long overdue.

January 22, 2009 at 9:14 AM

Clown Oliphip said...

Clean the courthouse out and start anew

January 22, 2009 at 9:18 AM

Only three? said...

We waiting all this time and only three get charged?!?! You got to be kidding me?

January 22, 2009 at 9:32 AM

B said...

J. Wallace, while I don't disagree there may be dozens to go in order to clean up the courthouse, the second half of your comment is laughable! If you look at present times and as far back as 15 to 20 years Democrats have been at the helm. Presently, the majority of the row offices are held by democrats. Democrats have also controlled 2 of the 3 Commissioners’ seats for years. I believe it hasn’t been since the middle to late eighties that the commissioner’s office was controlled by republicans (Trinisewski / Phillips). That being said, everyone’s disgust and disdain for the way the county has been run has been on the democrats watch!! Make no mistake; this is not my plug for the Republican Party or their rule. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what or who the answer is! Maybe its time to revisit the idea of home rule for the county in order to take power out of the hands of the few and place it in the hands of many. It seems that may create a better system of checks and balance.

January 22, 2009 at 9:33 AM

fed said...

About time. Next should be the debit card crew. Let's get rid of all the bums.

January 22, 2009 at 9:36 AM

lee said...

Here is an expression we may not have to use much longer.....President Judge Mark Ciavarella.

January 22, 2009 at 9:45 AM

abc said...

The FBI needs to start investigating the Family court system and Children and youth next. Lets clean up all the corruption.

January 22, 2009 at 9:46 AM

mark said...

please, please! let it be so!

January 22, 2009 at 9:59 AM

DS said...

Purge, baby, PURGE!!

January 22, 2009 at 10:38 AM

Mr Fsalt said...

Could it be? A judge acting like this? Well Marky mark can you slip out of this one? I hope not!

January 22, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Bob said...

I hope city hall is next

January 22, 2009 at 11:33 AM

I'm John Senchak, and I approve of this message/john@antihotmail.com said...

I would do anything to see President Judge Mark Ciavarella in handcuffs.

January 22, 2009 at 11:40 AM

Charmaine H. Maynard said...

You have no idea how hard it was to get the proper authorities to listen and take action. And......you have no idea how long it takes for a proper investigation to transpire. Please try to have faith in the system for just a little while longer.

January 22, 2009 at 11:55 AM

Now it's OUR turn said...

The feds can set up branch offices in several locations in NEPA keep busy for years. Thank God this is coming to pass.

January 22, 2009 at 11:58 AM

Martha Hyde said...

Interesting that this involves the juvenile justice. Next stop--FAMILY COURT--the most distructive and corrupted system of government. It is time for the people to take back government. "OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE."

January 22, 2009 at 3:04 PM

Next Story on the ongoing investigation.



Ciavarella, Conahan not alone
They’re the only 2 of the 11 Luzerne jurists with for-profit ties, but practice not uncommon, expert says.
November 5, 2008
ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com

A review of financial interest statements filed by all 11 Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas judges shows that two – Mark A. Ciavarella and Michael T. Conahan – listed financial interests in for-profit businesses.

Read more Luzerne County Judges articles

Conahan


The practice is not uncommon, according to one expert on state courts.

All judicial officers have been required to file the annual statements since a 1984 state Supreme Court order. Judges at all levels operating in state courts are mandated to follow the order.

The statements must be filed by May 1 each year and list financial information for the prior year including real estate interests, creditors, gifts, direct and indirect sources of income and office, directorship or employment in any other business. Judges are required to list financial interests in any for-profit business in which they have at least a 5 percent stake.

Ciavarella, 58, and Conahan, 56, have come under fire for listing an interest in W-Cat Inc. in their 2007 filings, their latest statements. That company, owned by county Prothonotary Jill Moran, was previously co-owned by attorney Robert J. Powell. Powell and Moran are partners in the Powell Law Firm. Powell, until last week, was also a partner in PA Child Care, the company operating the juvenile detention center in Pittston Township.

That facility, which has a long-term contract with Luzerne County, houses many youth sentenced by Ciavarella. The county started sending youth to the center in 2003 after Conahan shut down the county-run juvenile detention center on North River Street in 2002, saying it was unsafe for habitation. The state Department of Public Welfare had reissued a license to the facility.

A year later, former Commissioner Todd Vonderheid joined Commissioner Greg Skrepenak in approving the 20-year-, $58 million-lease of the facility.

Conahan and Ciavarella have repeatedly failed to return calls seeking comment on the matter.

William “Skip” Arbuckle, a lawyer who previously served as counsel for the state Judicial Conduct Board, said it’s not uncommon for judges across the state, especially those who entered the bench with a business background, to have business interests.

A review of the financial statements of Lackawanna County’s nine judges shows one-third of them have reported financial interests in for-profit businesses.

Conahan, who retired last year and became a senior judge in Luzerne County, is president of a soft-drink manufacturing company in Sheppton. Speaking in generalities, not specifically about Luzerne County, Arbuckle said the fact a judge has financial stakes in for-profit businesses doesn’t raise a red flag for him. If that judge presided over a case with a clear conflict of interest related to one of his holdings, he said, that would.

Though not against judicial canon, financial interest in businesses could prove tricky if judges have ties to attorneys, parties or issues that come before them. The judicial canons listed on the state Judicial Board of Conduct Web site do not specifically prohibit those kinds of relationships. Canon 5 makes it clear it’s OK to have financial interests in businesses, but Canon 2 warns judges to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all their activities.

Most Luzerne County’s judges checked “none” on the portion of the statement that asks about financial interests in for-profit businesses.

That’s the case on statements filed by Luzerne County judges Joseph Augello, Thomas Burke Jr., Ann Lokuta, David Lupas, Hugh Mundy, Chester Muroski, Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., Michael T. Toole, and Patrick J. Toole Jr.

The same goes for Lackawanna County judges Carlon O’Malley, Terrence Nealon, Robert Mazzoni, Chester Harhut, Vito Geroulo and Patricia Corbett.

In Lackawanna County, Judge Michael J. Barrasse lists an interest in Interstate Gas Marketing, a natural-gas drilling company in western Pennsylvania; Judge Thomas Munley lists himself as a director in Software Engineering Associates, a computer programming business in Archbald; and Judge Carmen Minora listed an interest in Brymin Partnership in Scranton. Information on that company could not be found, though its address is the same as the Minora Law Firm.

A review of financial interest statements of judges from nearby counties shows that those in Carbon, Wayne, Wyoming and Sullivan counties do not list any financial interests in for-profit businesses.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.
11 Reader Comments
COMMENT HERE
junglejim said...

Do they know how to hide their interests? Do they do favors for relatives, businessmen, lawyers, etc.? Are they totally honest even in sealing cases? I,ve got to wonder how long before the house of cards they have comes down. I guess we have no corruption from top to bottom.

June 18, 2008 at 5:00 AM

SB said...

Will Luzerne county residents ever learn or will they continue electing the same corrupt officials. Conahan, Civarella and Moran clearly have a conflict of interest regarding the juvenile detention center. Maybe this is why many of the juveniles were not represented in court; much easier to send business to the juvenile center. Civarella and Moran should do the honorable thing and RESIGN! Then the FBI should investigate to determine if prosecution is warranted.

June 18, 2008 at 6:25 AM

Pringle Hill said...

So what have Conahan and Ciavarella done wrong? So what if the county threw away over 58 million dollars for a lease that these two benefitted from. What is the TL trying to say?

June 18, 2008 at 6:28 AM

Scott said...

They are not alone! Not one other judge closed a juvenile facility and had a financial stake in the facility recently opened to house them, now did they. That folks, is a direct appearance of impropriety and a clear conflict of interest. They both should be removed from office and thrown in the can.

June 18, 2008 at 8:04 AM

jason said...

The TL is ignoring another part of the equation-judges that do not have independent sources of income have to increasingly reply on contributions to finance their campaigns-primarily from attorneys that will subsequently be appearing in front of the judges in court. An interesting investigative study would be on whether this practice results in favoritism. For instance, I am curious how many of the attorneys who brought complaints against Judge Lokuta actually contributed to her campaign. Not many, I suspect. I further suspect the judge was kinder to those that did contribute.

June 18, 2008 at 8:29 AM

Shalamar said...

With regard to Canon 2 one can imagine Judge Smails in the movie Caddie Shack... "How about a Fresca Danny?"

June 18, 2008 at 10:17 AM

mark said...

These guys will be forever remembered as "no good judges". I'll admit, they will be rich but that's all they will be. They won't leave a good legacy at all. I prefer to be respected because of my good actions.

June 18, 2008 at 11:39 AM

Alex said...

The Times Leader has really missed the boat as far as this scandal is concerned. Bravo to the Citizens Voice for having the guts to publish the misdeeds of these crooked judges and politicians.

June 18, 2008 at 12:04 PM

watcher said...

TL....where's my post?

June 18, 2008 at 2:14 PM

tom sedeski said...

Watcher, they pick and choose what to post. I thought the media is supposed to be impartial? I’ve had 6 not posted and 2 of those I have resubmitted 3 times. I don’t believe they were comments not worthy or out of line so I am baffled. What’s even more confusing is that this comment (if your reading it) is the 3rd from me they HAVE posted that points out the TL censoring comments. What’s with that TL? Feel free to explain if you ever have the editors return my emails.

June 18, 2008 at 8:07 PM

Sleepless in Scranton said...

Hmmm...didn't Ciavarella run the most expensive campaign in Luzerne County history at $250,000.00? What contributed? Also noticed that, back in his early days, nearly every case involving The Arena (which had been voted "Arena NO" by the people) came before him. He seemed to rule in favor of the Arena in most instances.

January 22, 2009 at 2:03 AM