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Ciavarella, left, and Conahan

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• Ex-judges hit with 48 counts

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SCRANTON - Former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan are scheduled to  be arraigned next Tuesday at 10 a.m. on charges contained in a 48-count indictment filed against them Wednesday.

A federal grand jury on Wednesday issued an indictment that charges the former judges with racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering, fraud and tax evasion.

The 77-page indictment essentially mirrors allegations that were contained in a complaint the U.S. Attorney's office filed against Conahan and Ciavarella in January. It alleges the ex-judges accepted millions of dollars in illegal payments to facilitate the construction and operation of two juvenile detention centers.

 Conahan and Ciavarella had previously reached a plea deal with prosecutors that called for them to plead guilty to charges of honest services fraud and tax evasion and serve 87 months in prison. They withdrew their plea last month after U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik rejected the terms of the deal.

For the complete story read Friday's Times Leader.

Posted 8:51 a.m.

HARRISBURG - An indictment filed against former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan made public today accuses the men of utilizing the county court system as a criminal enterprise to unjustly enrich themselves.

The 48-count indictment consists of 77 pages and charges the former judges with racketeering, money laundering, extortion, bribery, tax evasion and fraud.

For more details check back with www.timesleader.com