News

Citing the pending criminal charges against two county judges, the state Supreme Court this afternoon relieved Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan of all judicial duties.

The order forbids Ciavarella from taking any action in any case or proceeding and relieves him of all judicial and administrative responsibilities. It also revokes Conahan's status as a senior judge and rescinds all assignments currently before him.

The action comes three days after federal authorities charged the jurists with accepting more than $2.6 million in kickbacks in exchange for favorable judicial rulings.

The judges are scheduled to appear in federal court on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. to enter guilty pleas to charges of tax evasions and honest services fraud, according to the clerk's office.
 
For the complete story read Thursday's Times Leader.

Read more Luzerne County Judges articles

On the web

• Press release from administrative office of PA courts (PDF)
• Chiavarella suspension (PDF)
• Conahan suspension (PDF)

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