The student who exposed America's cash for kids scandal

In just over one month the Luzerne County,Pennsylvania Judicial Corruption Scandal has reached every corner of the globe. I have tracked literally thousands of articles written, countless editorials asking myriad questions.

How did this happen in America?
What happened to the constitutional rights of these young people abrogated by Judaical fiat.
Why was there no oversight of such blatant Judicial chicanery?
Why did the Federal Government have to intervene?
Why was Pennsylvania incapable of correcting such an Injustice?
How many more Luzerne County's wait to be uncovered in Americas increasing dysfunctional and corrupt Judiciary?

Here is the latest from the Guardian which dispatched a reporter to Wilkes Barre...

Jailed for a MySpace parody, the student who exposed America's cash for kids scandal

Slapping a friend or having tantrum led to prison.

• Ed Pilkington in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
• The Guardian, Saturday 7 March 2009

Hillary Transue was 14 when she carried out her prank. She built a hoax MySpace page in which she posed as the vice-principal of her school, poking fun at her strictness. At the bottom of the page she added a disclaimer just to make sure everyone knew it was a joke. "When you find this I hope you have a sense of humour," she wrote.

Humour is not in abundance, it seems, in Luzerne County, northern Pennsylvania. In January 2007 Transue was charged with harassment. She was called before the juvenile court in Wilkes-Barre, an old coal town about 20 miles from her home.

Less than a minute into the hearing the gavel came down. "Adjudicated delinquent!" the judge proclaimed, and sentenced her to three months in a juvenile detention centre. Hillary, who hadn't even presented her side of the story, was handcuffed and led away. But her mother, Laurene, protested to the local law centre, setting in train a process that would uncover one of the most egregious violations of children's rights in US legal history.

Last month the judge involved, Mark Ciavarella, and the presiding judge of the juvenile court, Michael Conahan, pleaded guilty to having accepted $2.6m (£1.8m) from the co-owner and builder of a private detention centre where children aged from 10 to 17 were locked up.

The cases of up to 2,000 children put into custody by Ciavarella over the past seven years - including that of Transue - are now being reviewed in a billowing scandal dubbed "kids for cash". The alleged racket has raised questions about the cosy ties between the courts and private contractors, and about the harsh treatment meted out to adolescents.

Alerted by Laurene Transue, the Juvenile Law Centre in Wilkes-Barre began to uncover scores of cases in which teenagers had been summarily sent to custody by Ciavarella, dating as far back as 1999. One child was detained for stealing a $4 jar of nutmeg, another for throwing a sandal at her mother, a third aged 14 was held for six months for slapping a friend at school.

Half of all the children who came before Ciavarella had no legal representation, despite it being a right under state law. The Juvenile Law Centre has issued a class action against the two judges and other implicated parties in which it seeks compensation for more than 80 children who it claims were victims of injustice.

The prosecution charge sheet alleges that from about June 2000 to January 2007 Ciavarella entered into an "understanding" with Conahan to concoct a scheme to enrich themselves. The two judges conspired to strip the local state detention centre of funding, diverting the money to a private company called PA Child Care which it helped to build a new facility in the area.

In January 2002, prosecutors allege, Conahan signed a "placement guarantee agreement" with the firm to send teenagers into their custody. Enough children would be detained to ensure the firm received more than $1m a year in public money. In late 2004 a long-term deal was secured with PACC worth about $58m.

In return, the prosecutors allege, the judges received at least $2.6m in kickbacks. They bought a condominium in Florida with the proceeds. PACC's then owner, Bob Powell, who has not been charged, used to moor his yacht at a nearby marina. He called the boat "Reel Justice".

For a man who has agreed to serve more than seven years in jail as part of a plea bargain, Ciavarella comes across as remarkably unflustered. He invited the Guardian into his Wilkes-Barre home where he remains free on bail pending sentencing.

Though he pleaded guilty to conflict of interest and evasion of taxes, he insists that he took the money in all innocence, assuming it to be a legitimate "finder's fee" from the private company for help in building the detention centre. He denies sending children to custody in return for kickbacks. "Cash for kids? It never happened. People have jumped to conclusions - I didn't do any of these things."

He says that he regarded his court as a place of treatment for troubled adolescents, not of punishment. "I wanted these children to avoid becoming statistics in an adult world. That's all it was, trying to help these kids straighten out their lives."

As evidence, Ciavarella claims the percentage of children he sentenced to custodial placements remained steady from 1996, when he was appointed to the court, until he stood down from it in 2008. Yet the facts suggest otherwise.

For the first two years of his term his rate of custodial sentencing was static at 4.5% of cases. In 1999 - shortly before he allegedly began the racket with Conahan, according to prosecutors - it suddenly shot up to 13.7%. By 2004 it had risen to up to 26% of all teenagers entering his court.

Ciavarella hopes that with good behaviour he may spend only six years in jail.

Hillary Transue, meanwhile, is now 17 and in high school. She spent a month in detention for the parody. For many months afterwards she was ostracised by friends and neighbours, labelled a delinquent.

"It's nice to see him on the other side of the bench," she says of Ciavarella. "I'm sure he understands now how it feels."

from the Guardian UK

Conahan,Ciavarella and the Drug Dealer

Lets take a trip way back to 1990 and Judge Michael Conahans first brush with Political and criminal corruption.

Conahan was described by the federal prosecutor in the Ronald Belletiere Drug trafficking trial in 1991 as an “unindicted co-conspirator.”

Justice is the case of Conahan has been a long time coming!



91 Case looms large casting shadows...

Former Hazleton resident Ronald Belletiere was at the center of a trial 18 years ago.

By Jerry Lynott jlynott@timesleader.com
Business Writer

SCRANTON – When his name came up in a federal trial 18 years ago during his tenure as a district justice in Hazleton, Michael Conahan distanced himself as far as he possibly could from an admitted drug trafficker.

Last week, Conahan, a retired Luzerne County judge, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to unrelated charges before the same judge who heard the accusations in 1991.

Senior U.S. Judge Edwin Kosik accepted Conahan’s plea and that of his fellow county jurist Mark Ciavarella to tax evasion and participating in a scheme to defraud the public of their honest services by accepting $2.6 million in kickbacks involving two juvenile detention centers.

The two disgraced judges will appear before Kosik at a later date for sentencing.

Though nearly two decades separate the cases, common connections of people, place and profession link the figures in this ongoing and growing investigation of corruption in Luzerne County Court.

Among them are:

Ronald Belletiere – a former Hazleton resident and convicted drug dealer who served nearly four years in prison.

A witness at Belletiere’s trial before Judge Kosik in 1991 said Conahan advised the witness his brother’s name was being mentioned by law enforcement at Hazleton City Hall regarding drug activity. The witness, Neal DeAngelo of Hazleton, said Belletiere later called him “at the direction of Mike Conahan … to see if we can do some business.”

Belletiere also was listed as a permanent guest on the list of people who visited the Jupiter, Fla. condominium managed by Conahan’s wife,Barbara.

In 2004, Belletiere opened a used car dealership in Florida with the judge’s wife.

Judge Mark Ciavarella – (left front in photo) defendant in the current case before Judge Kosik. Ciavarella’s wife Cindy is listed as a partner with Barbara Conahan in the Pinnacle Group of Jupiter, LLC which owns a condominium at the Jupiter Yacht Club. The condominium has been for sale since July 2008. They purchased the condo in 2004 for $785,000. The asking price is $995,000.

Judge Michael Conahan – (top right in photo) defendant in the case before Judge Kosik.

Conahan was described by the federal prosecutor in the Belletiere trial as an “unindicted co-conspirator.”

The prosecutor, Malachy Mannion, now a U.S, Magistrate Judge in Wilkes-Barre, summed up the testimony of witness Neal DeAngelo for Judge Kosik during a sidebar conversation not made available to the jury.

Mannion said, “… they were looking for a drug source and Conahan began giving him information that his brother (Paul DeAngelo) was in trouble with the law enforcement authorities and said … ‘I’ll get you somebody from Florida.’ And Ronnie Belletiere called and they met as a result of Conahan’s involvement …”

Conahan denounced the testimony as bogus and said the statements tying him to the Empire drug ring were made by “common criminals trying to help themselves at my expense.”

In the latest charges, federal authorities said Conahan and Ciavarella laundered some of the money they received in the kickback scheme as expenses for the Jupiter, Fla. condo where not only Belletiere stayed, but also attorney Robert Powell, another permanent guest. Powell docked his $1.5 million yacht, the “Reel Justice” in the marina outside the condo. Powell, identified as “Participant 1” by federal authorities, has been implicated in the kickback scheme involving the PA Child Care LLC juvenile detention center he co-owned, but has not been charged.

Neal DeAngelo – witness at Belletiere’s trial and co-founder with his brother Paul of DBI Services, 100 North Conahan Drive, Hazleton.

DeAngelo testified he flew back from Miami in 1987 carrying in his luggage cocaine he bought in Miami. His brother Paul and Neil Forte accompanied him on the trip. Neal DeAngelo was not charged. Forte pleaded guilty in 1989 to operating a criminal enterprise and tax evasion and received a 10-year prison sentence.

Paul DeAngelo - co-founder of DBI Services with his brother Neal.

Paul DeAngelo was sentenced by Judge Kosik to 18 months in prison for his guilty plea to aiding with the distribution of a kilogram of cocaine in 1987. The prosecution sought a departure downward from the mandatory minimum of five years in prison for DeAngelo’s cooperation. He wore a wire in an effort to obtain statements from a “public official” in Hazleton. He and Belletiere also met with the state Judicial Conduct Board to provide information about the “public official” whom prosecutors have never publicly identified.

Senior U.S. Judge Edwin Kosik – will sentence judges Ciavarella and Conahan for their roles in an ongoing public corruption probe in Luzerne County.

Kosik presided over the Belletiere trial in 1991 in which Conahan’s name came up. The federal judge also sentenced Paul DeAngelo for his role in the Empire drug ring.

Attorney Robert Powell – references in criminal complaint against judges Ciavarella and Conahan point to the attorney as “Participant 1” in the kickback scheme.

However, attorneys for Powell portray him as a victim of the demands for payment by the judges.

Powell had been co-owner of the juvenile detention facilities operated by PA Child Care LLC. But his connections to the judges run deeper. He visited the condo managed by the judges’ wives in Florida and docked his boat in the marina there as well.

He also had a hand in W-Cat Inc., the company behind the development of The Sanctuary townhouse project in Wright Township. He later transferred his interest to his law partner and Luzerne County Prothonotary Jill Moran. The judges and their wives guaranteed $4.5 million in financing for the development, but First National Community Bank of Dunmore obtained a judgment against them on Wednesday for W-Cat’s default on the loans.

Conahan had been a director at the bank along with Louis A. DeNaples. But DeNaples, owner of the Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos, stepped down as a bank chairman after a grand jury indicted him on charges he allegedly lied to state gambling officials about his ties to organized crime members. Conahan resigned as director after federal authorities announced charges against him last month.

Attorney Richard Sprague – counsel for attorney Robert Powell and Louis A. DeNaples.

Sprague, of Philadelphia, said Powell “made a mistake in giving in to the judges’ demands and for not immediately reporting them to authorities.” Powell eventually did notify authorities and cooperated with them to provide “integral” assistance to the prosecution of the judges, Sprague said.

In addition to representing DeNaples in his pending perjury case, Sprague defended The Times Leader in 1991 on charges it published contents of an illegally tape recorded telephone conversation. The charges were later dismissed.

A few years earlier, Sprague was co-counsel in the team that represented former Luzerne County Judge Arthur Dalessandro. Midway through his 1989 trial, Dalessandro pleaded guilty to attempted tax evasion and was later sentenced to one year in federal prison.

More recently, in December, Sprague sat on the Court of Judicial Discipline that heard testimony in the misconduct complaint filed against Luzerne County Judge Ann Lokuta and ordered her removed from the bench.

Lokuta was in the courtroom Thursday when Ciavarella and Conahan entered their guilty pleas. Ciavarella embraced her at the end of the proceeding.

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

New FBI raid on Luzerne County Justice

The ever widening Federal investigation of corruption in the Luzerne County Justice System took a new turn with Fresh FBI raids and boxes of evidence seized form the Clerk of Courts and Court Treasurer. It is very apparent the focus of the Federal investigation has centered on two men Judge Michael T.Conahan and Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr.

Allegations of financial gain,perverted justice,association with common criminals for financial gain,steering public funds for private gain, the list is endless!

It is apparent the two judges should not be counting on retirement living in Florida, instead they will be spending their golden years at Club Fed!

Perverted Justice becomes Justice Served!


Luzerne County court probe widens


BY MICHAEL R. SISAK AND DAVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITERS
Published: Friday, August 22, 2008
Updated: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:30 AM EDT
WILKES-BARRE — Federal agents investigating the alleged theft of funds from the Luzerne County court administrator’s office served subpoenas this week on that office and two others within the county courthouse, Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said Thursday.

Agents from the FBI served the subpoenas Tuesday on the county treasurer’s office and the clerk of courts office, as well as the court administrator’s office, Ms. Musto Carroll said.

“My office and myself are working closely with the FBI,” Ms. Musto Carroll said. “They’ve been here and they’ll continue to be here.”

Deputy Treasurer Dominick DePolo, who on Wednesday confirmed agents were in his office looking for “court-related stuff,” said Thursday he was unaware other county offices were also being investigated.

The treasurer’s office collects, invests and disburses county funds and issues various permits and licenses, such as for hunting and fishing.

“I’m presuming they will be back,” Mr. DePolo said of the agents. “That was sort of indicated.”

Court Administrator William T. Sharkey, whose office performs the managerial functions of the county court system, including scheduling and budgeting, is on a monthlong leave of absence and could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Sharkey’s deputy, John P. Mulroy, and Peter J. Adonizio, a special court administrator, did not return a message left for comment. President Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., who oversees the Office of Court of Administration, did not return a telephone message.

Paul McGarry, the director of court administrative services, said he was unaware of the investigation until he watched a report about it Thursday on a local television news broadcast.

Clerk of Courts Robert F. Reilly, whose office maintains the records of criminal cases prosecuted within the county, was said to be on vacation this week and could not be reached for comment.

FBI spokeswoman Jerri Williams said Wednesday she could not confirm or deny that subpoenas had been served.

The same investigators who served the subpoenas on the three county offices Tuesday searched the offices of the Luzerne County juvenile probation department in June, seizing records, contracts and other documents related to the detention and treatment of juvenile offenders since 2002.

FBI agents inspected documents involving the placement of juveniles at the Pennsylvania Child Care facility in Pittston Twp. and the Western Pennsylvania Child Care facility in Butler County.

The facilities were co-owned until June by Robert J. Powell, a prominent attorney with financial ties to Judge Ciavarella and Senior Judge Michael T. Conahan.

Contact the writers: msisak@citizensvoice.com, djanoski@citizensvoice.com

source Citizens Voice

FBI, IRS investigating Luzerne County judges, attorney

Originally posted to the Times Tribune Scranton PA

BY DAVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER
Published: Friday, June 06, 2008
Updated: Friday, June 6, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
WILKES-BARRE — The FBI and IRS are investigating possible financial ties between two Luzerne County judges and a local attorney whose firm has made millions leasing a juvenile detention center to the county, according to two courthouse sources who say they’ve been interviewed by the federal agents.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation, said the agents asked about the relationship between President Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., Senior Judge Michael T. Conahan and Robert J. Powell, part-owner of the Luzerne County Juvenile Center in Pittston Township.

The two sources said they have been interviewed within the past several months.

Judge Conahan and Judge Ciavarella played key roles in closing a county-owned juvenile facility in 2002, arguing it was decrepit and unsafe. Neither judge returned phone messages Thursday. Mr. Powell did not respond to requests for comment made by e-mail, phone and through a spokesman.

Mr. Powell’s company, Pennsylvania Child Care LLC, has a 20-year, $58 million lease agreement with the county that has been criticized as too expensive by state officials. Faced with a threatened cut in state subsidies for juvenile detention that would cost $2 million per year, the county commissioners are trying to negotiate an end to the lease.

Last week, The Citizens’ Voice revealed financial ties between the two judges and W-Cat Inc., a townhouse development firm owned by Mr. Powell’s law partner, Jill A. Moran, who is the county prothonotary. The judges reported their interest on annual financial disclosure forms filed with the state Supreme Court.

Mr. Powell owned half of W-Cat in June 2004, according to documents filed with Wright Township and Luzerne County planning commissions. He transferred his interest in the firm to Ms. Moran for no compensation later that year, his spokesman said.

Ms. Moran did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Judge Ciavarella said last week that he was guarantor for some of W-Cat’s $4.5 million debt and could benefit financially if the firm is successful in developing the Sanctuary, an 86-townhouse project in Wright Township. The firm has three mortgages from First National Community Bank, where Judge Conahan is a director.

Mr. Powell’s investment in Pennsylvania Child Care is through a company called Vision Holdings LLC. Mortgage documents filed in connection with the Pittston Township facility in 2002 identified Vision Holdings as a company registered in the Cayman Islands. It was later registered in Pennsylvania in 2003.

The other investor in Pennsylvania Child Care is Consulting Innovations and Services Inc., a corporation owned by Gregory Zappala, a western Pennsylvania investment banker and son of a former Pennsylvania chief justice. Mr. Powell and Mr. Zappala are also investors in Western PA Child Care, which owns a juvenile detention center in Butler County and Gladstone Partners LP, a company proposing a cargo airport to be built south of Hazleton.

Reached by phone Thursday, Mr. Zappala said he knew nothing of an investigation and said the judges have no interest in Pennsylvania Child Care. He declined further comment.

Contact the writer: djanoski@citizensvoice.com