Ex-President Judge of Luzerne County Found Guilty on 12 of 39 Counts in Kids-for-Cash Case
A former president judge in Pennsylvania who was accused of pocketing millions in job-related payments and putting juveniles in jail for his own financial benefit has been convicted on 12 of 39 counts in a federal bribery prosecution.
The charges on which Mark Ciavarella Jr. was found guilty by a federal jury in Scranton today include racketeering, mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy and filing false tax returns, reports the Citizens Voice.
However, he was found innocent of bribery, extortion, wire fraud and money laundering. Another Citizens Voice article recaps the testimony in the trial.
Ciavarella was expressionless as the verdict was read, reports the Associated Press. His lawyers say he will appeal.
News reports have said some parents of juveniles jailed by Ciavarella when he was still sitting on the Luzerne County bench were disappointed that the trial focused on money and the mechanics by which he allegedly profited rather than the injustice to their children.
Earlier coverage:
ABA Journal: “Town Without Pity”
ABAJournal.com: “Opening Statements Loom in ‘Kids-for-Cash’ Trial of Former Luzerne, Pa., President Judge”
ABAJournal.com: “Prosecutor: Judge’s ‘Cash Cow’ Job Milked Money Envelopes From Attorney Owner of Juvenile Facility”
