Background

Former Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan pleaded guilty on February 12, 2009, to charges they accepted more than $2.6 million in kickbacks in exchange for rulings that benefited the owners and builder of PA Child Care in Pittston Township and Western PA Child Care in Butler County.

The Office of U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Martin Carlson, his office has launched a Web site for the public to stay updated on the ongoing investigation of corruption in the county judiciary system.

Following the public corruption charges filed on January 26, 2009, authorities have met with several local attorneys to review past arbitration in the Luzerne County court system.

If you wish to find information about candidates seeking a seat in Luzerne County Court in the upcoming primary election, please see our Judge Elections hot topics page.




Primary Author

Terrie Morgan-Besecker
tmorgan@timesleader.com


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Luzerne County Judges

Latest Headlines

November 21, 2009

A TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Jan. 26 – Federal prosecutors charge Judge Mark Ciavarella and Senior Judge Michael Conahan with receiving more than $2.6 million in kickbacks in exchange for rulings they made that financially benefited a juvenile detention facility.

November 21, 2009

Liability in non-official jurist actions

In two sweeping rulings encompassing multiple parties on both sides of the legal fence in four cases, a federal judge Friday dramatically reshaped the landscape of civil suits filed in the juvenile justice corruption scandal.

November 21, 2009

Mother of juvenile ‘disappointed’

In the midst of a celebration Friday night, Laurene Transue’s spirits sunk a bit.

November 20, 2009

Cohahan, Ciavarella partially immune from kids for cash suit, judge says

U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo issued an order today that partially grants former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan’s motion for judicial immunity in the kids for cash case.

November 20, 2009

UPDATE:Attorney calls ruling rightly clears county

Attorney Jack Dean Calld Judge Richard Caputo's ruling in civil suits regarding the juvenile justice scandal a "well reasoned, detailed opinion on why (Luzerne) County is not liable" for actions of two disgraced county judges. "The judges are state actors," Dean said.

November 20, 2009

Judicial fill-in set for Toole

WILKES-BARRE – A replacement will be named for Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole, who took an unexpected vacation as the trial deadline approaches for a death penalty case he has been handling.

November 18, 2009

Judge Toole takes break for November

Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole has unexpectedly postponed all of his November cases and decided to take a vacation for a few weeks.

November 18, 2009

Insurers challenge juvie claims

SCRANTON – Two London-based insurance companies challenged a claim that its policies covered PA Child Care, owner and operator of a juvenile detention center sued in federal court over the placement of juveniles as part of $2.6 million alleged kickback scheme involving former Luzerne County judges Mark A. Ciavarella and Michael T. Conahan.

November 14, 2009

DA will retry 50 juvenile cases

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said Friday she expects her office will seek to retry approximately 50 of the 106 juveniles whose cases were eligible for retrial under the state Supreme Court ruling that vacated the convictions of all youths who appeared before former judge Mark Ciavarella from 2003 to 2008.

November 13, 2009

Juvie panel gets history summary

WILKES-BARRE – Each member of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice has been given a detailed historical report on Luzerne County.

November 12, 2009

W-B Area counters assertions

WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes-Barre Area Superintendent Jeff Namey said allegations that school officials have been too quick to refer cases to juvenile court in order to rid themselves of troublemakers is “absolutely not true,” at least not in his district.

November 11, 2009

Court system gone awry Times Leader Photo Galleries

PLAINS TWP. – Luzerne County Judge David Lupas, who had been district attorney, conceded Tuesday that some people see juvenile hearings as “kiddie court.”

November 10, 2009

VIDEO: TL interview with Judge John Cleland

The Times Leader conducted an exclusive interview with Judge John Cleland prior to the November 9, 2009, hearings before the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice.

November 10, 2009

Feds may question Ciavarella home sale

Former Luzerne County judge Mark Ciavarella’s daughter has put her Kingston townhouse on the market, raising questions about whether federal authorities will have an interest in the transaction.

November 10, 2009

No victims yet show to talk to court panel

WILKES-BARRE – State Superior Court Judge John M. Cleland said the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice came to town Monday to start the healing process, but it appears the panel will be doing it without victims.

November 10, 2009

Repairing broken justice

PLAINS TWP. -- Former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella engaged in the “most egregious violation of trust given a judge” in his handling of juvenile cases, a Berks County judge testified Monday before a commission investigating failings within the county’s juvenile system.

November 9, 2009

Judge testifies at juvenile hearing

Former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella engaged in the “most egregious violation of trust given a judge” in his handling of juvenile cases, a Berks County judge said in testimony today before a commission investigating failings within the county’s juvenile system.

November 4, 2009

Former juvenile probation official to testify at juvenile hearings

A former Luzerne County Juvenile Probation official who pleaded guilty to illegally altering a juvenile's record is among the witnesses scheduled to testify next week before a commission formed to investigate failings within the county's juvenile justice system.

November 3, 2009

Sentence reductions possible

WILKES-BARRE – In light of Thursday’s state Supreme Court ruling that vacated the convictions of thousands of juveniles, Luzerne County officials are debating how to go about identifying adult offenders who might be eligible for a reduced sentence.

November 1, 2009

Bringing justice to them all

October 31, 2009

How juvie scandal was uncovered

October 30, 2009

Parents thrilled by court ruling

October 30, 2009

All Ciavarella juvie convictions vacated

October 29, 2009

State Supreme Court vacates juvenile convictions

October 29, 2009

DA, defender offices take criticism at hearing

October 29, 2009

Judge flap: Who is liable?

October 28, 2009

Attorneys argue Conahan, Ciavarella liable for actions on bench

October 22, 2009

Powell defense lawyer seeking to withdraw

October 18, 2009

Conahan and company

October 16, 2009

Timeline of charges in federal investigation

October 15, 2009

Seeking answers and the truth

October 14, 2009

Update: Muroski concludes testimony before juvenile commission

October 14, 2009

PCN offering online video of Juvenile Justice Commission hearings

October 13, 2009

Conahan, Scalleats tied for decades

October 11, 2009

Juvie cost falling on new policy

October 11, 2009

Conahan’s club interest revealing

October 2, 2009

Woman in pay dispute on judge’s guest list

September 30, 2009

Mericle sues his insurance carrier

September 27, 2009

Conahan linked to Pa. beer company

September 26, 2009

Residents agree damage was done

September 26, 2009

Analysts say Judge’s future is hurt

September 24, 2009

Juvie group: Ex-judge’s plea change irrelevant

September 23, 2009

Ex-judges’ immunity claims attacked

September 20, 2009

Conahan linked to 1990s cocaine probe

September 20, 2009

Conahan linked to 1990s cocaine probe

September 17, 2009

Judge agrees to release gasoline case transcript

September 16, 2009

Ex-jurists plea, still free

September 15, 2009

Kulick gets 37 months

September 15, 2009

Former judges plead not guilty

September 13, 2009

Lawyers: Flood’s suspicions panned out

September 12, 2009

Feds may seize assets of judges

September 10, 2009

Sealed case cited as fraud

September 10, 2009

Plea withdrawal affects juvie cases

September 10, 2009

Board says no to reopening Lokuta’s case

September 10, 2009

Judges facing more jail time

September 10, 2009

Update: Conahan and Ciavarella to be arraigned Sept. 15

September 10, 2009

Kulick seeking reduced sentence

September 9, 2009

Conahan and Ciavarella indicted by federal grand jury

September 8, 2009

Just what does a grand jury do?

September 5, 2009

Doctor: Ciavarella had conflict in his case

September 3, 2009

Ex-probation official dropped from juvie civil lawsuit

September 2, 2009

Mericle pleads guilty

September 2, 2009

Pa. court suspends Powell’s law license

August 27, 2009

Filling juvie-review jobs delayed

August 26, 2009

Status of judge may undergo challenge

August 26, 2009

Ex-judge in fight to restore pension

August 25, 2009

Court date set for Mericle

August 24, 2009

Judges withdraw guilty pleas

August 24, 2009

UPDATE: Conahan/Ciavarella file motions to withdraw guilty pleas

August 24, 2009

Judge scandal figures getting movie mention

August 23, 2009

What precisely did 2 judges do?

August 21, 2009

Lokuta asks high court to take over case

August 21, 2009

Ex-judges want pleas reconsidered

August 20, 2009

UPDATE: Attorneys say former judges' conduct after pleas was within law

August 20, 2009

Scarantino fate set for Sept. 30

August 20, 2009

Judge joins panel on court probe

August 18, 2009

Juvenile records of adults examined

August 16, 2009

Federal probe in NEPA not over yet

August 15, 2009

Pittsburgh owner denies wrongdoing

August 14, 2009

Ex-judge’s daughter quits DA position

August 14, 2009

Four are appointed to look at scandal

August 13, 2009

A Tarnished Mericle

August 13, 2009

UPDATE: Mericle to donate $2.15 million to benefit children under conditions of plea agreement

August 13, 2009

Judge: Void juvenile convictions

August 13, 2009

Conahan wants to defend self in 2 cases

August 12, 2009

Judge recommends all juvenile convictions be vacated; retrials barred for some

August 11, 2009

Ex-jurists’ corruption-case deadline extended

August 11, 2009

Panel chairman picked for juvie scandal probe

August 11, 2009

Ex-judge’s claim of ‘finder’s fee’ is disputed

August 10, 2009

Former judges given more time to decide

August 8, 2009

Order maintains juvie records

August 8, 2009

Ex-jurists’ reps seek more time for cases

August 8, 2009

Pa. to study unparalleled juvie scandal

August 8, 2009

Ex-judges argue for full pension

August 8, 2009

Witnesses back Lokuta claim of conspiracy

August 7, 2009

Ciavarella ruling reviewed

August 7, 2009

Retirement plan cuts Conahan

August 6, 2009

Ex-judges’ condo in Fla. drops

August 5, 2009

Judge: Vacate $3.5M verdict against CV

August 5, 2009

Ex-judges’ attorneys, fed prosecutors talk

August 4, 2009

All Ciavarella juvie records to be saved

August 3, 2009

Supreme Court agrees to preserve records of all juveniles who appeared before Ciavarella

August 2, 2009

Mother of juvenile happy with decision

July 31, 2009

Attitude of ex-jurists attacked

July 31, 2009

Ex-judges’ fate now in limbo

July 31, 2009

Federal judge rejects Conahan, Ciavarella plea agreements

July 29, 2009

Ex-judges claiming immunity

July 28, 2009

Records for many juvie cases at stake

July 27, 2009

Juvenile Law Center asks to preserve records

July 24, 2009

Zappala won’t face lawsuits

July 23, 2009

Attorneys dismiss key defendant in juvenile justice scandal suits

July 23, 2009

Court: Preserve juvie records

July 22, 2009

Pa Supreme court reverses position, orders preservation of juvenile records

July 22, 2009

Court imperils Ciavarella suits

July 22, 2009

Juvie ‘trade secrets’ suit alive

July 22, 2009

Grand jury hears Sharkey

July 22, 2009

Ex-judges file to get Pa. pensions returned

July 21, 2009

Bank given OK to sell Powell boat

July 18, 2009

DA in favor of retrying

July 17, 2009

Judge hears arguments regarding re-trial of juveniles

July 17, 2009

Prosecutors favor new trials for juveniles

July 16, 2009

Six new positions created for DA

July 16, 2009

D.A. says ex-judge erred in sentencing

July 15, 2009

Businessman: Marsicano hired him to sell Powell’s jet

July 14, 2009

Powell law firm insurer bows out

July 9, 2009

D’Elia link seen in coal sale fee case

July 8, 2009

Brulo asks court to lower jail sentence

July 7, 2009

Powell attorney counters judge’s ‘liar’ claim

July 7, 2009

Senate OKs bill to halt juvie scams

July 2, 2009

Ex-judge defends actions

July 2, 2009

Servers: D’Elia, Conahan met often

July 1, 2009

Powell pleads to 2 felonies

July 1, 2009

Powell pleads guilty to 2 charges in federal court

June 29, 2009

Firing Brulo would have saved county $4,500

June 27, 2009

Lawyers consolidate juvie suits

June 26, 2009

Judge scandal featured online

June 24, 2009

Toole’s tipstaff testifies before fed grand jury

June 19, 2009

Powell yacht to be seized by feds

June 18, 2009

Juvie group: DA ignored violations

June 15, 2009

Two ex-judges denied pensions

June 15, 2009

Update: DPW files $4.3 million claim against judges' pensions

June 12, 2009

Lawyers: Powell’s help aided his case

June 10, 2009

Fed document backs Powell’s claim

June 10, 2009

Attorney admits his guilt in judge case

June 9, 2009

UPDATE: Powell agrees to forfeit yacht, jet as part of plea deal

June 5, 2009

Suspended Luzerne County juvie court official wants suits dropped

June 5, 2009

Judge cites progress in courts

June 3, 2009

Rendell ponders judgeship posts

June 3, 2009

Sources: Tipstaff is served

June 2, 2009

Sentencing date for former judges delayed

June 2, 2009

Date set for Ciavarella cases

June 2, 2009

A Conahan ruling overturned; lack of evidence cited

May 30, 2009

Juvie judge deciding how to review former cases

May 30, 2009

Hired judges cut case backlog

May 29, 2009

Ciavarella challenges court pension freeze

May 28, 2009

Ciavarella blocked from pension

May 27, 2009

Order Freezes Pension

May 13, 2009

UPDATE: Judiciary Court gives Lokuta partial victory

May 13, 2009

Former court administrator to be sentenced in August

May 13, 2009

Sprague calls Lokuta's comments 'absurd'

May 12, 2009

Juvenile protections in works

May 10, 2009

Ciavarella case appealed to state’s top court

May 7, 2009

TV show mirrors area legal headlines

May 5, 2009

Muroski seeks Pa. help for case review staffers

May 5, 2009

No pension for Brulo, county board rules

May 5, 2009

Courts seek funding for juvenile record review

May 5, 2009

County denies pension for Brulo

May 5, 2009

Lawyers: No juvie kickbacks

May 5, 2009

Disqualification sought in suit

May 5, 2009

Suspended official wants her pension

May 1, 2009

Bank connected to ex-judges to write off $4.35M

April 29, 2009

Central Court changes take effect July 31

April 27, 2009

Contentious $1M damages case returning to county court

April 27, 2009

Judicial Conduct Board files brief opposing new trial for Lokuta

April 26, 2009

Experts: Convictions spark more evidence

April 13, 2009

Kulick sentencing now May 26

April 10, 2009

Ex-judge may net $50,000

April 8, 2009

High court orders hearing on $3.5M verdict

April 7, 2009

Toole’s recusal in case sought

April 4, 2009

FBI has file of $3.1M award linked to judge

April 3, 2009

FBI removes judge’s case files

April 2, 2009

FBI takes 87 case files involving arbitration awards from county court

April 2, 2009

Officials mull suing two judges

April 2, 2009

Muroski: I’m reviewing ‘missing’ files

April 1, 2009

Ciavarella moves to dismiss lawsuit

April 1, 2009

Judicial scandal inspires plans for remedy

March 31, 2009

County added as defendant in juvie suit

March 31, 2009

Muroski wants Ciavarella seat filled

March 30, 2009

Muroski asks governor's office to put Ciavarella seat on May ballot

March 30, 2009

Luzerne County added as defendant to juvenile suit

March 29, 2009

Arbitrator debate anything but neutral

March 28, 2009

VIDEO: Luzerne County judges featured on ABC's 20/20

March 27, 2009

ABC News show about judges posted online

March 27, 2009

Juvenile records to be erased

March 26, 2009

Supreme Court orders juvenile convictions vacated

March 26, 2009

Ruling: Keep Lokuta seat off ballot

March 25, 2009

Convicts helping agencies

March 24, 2009

Clerk of courts drops budget suit

March 20, 2009

With loan default, legal woes go on for Powell

March 20, 2009

Musto, Bufalino nab top spots

March 20, 2009

Crime victims forgotten in juvie furor, man says

March 18, 2009

Judges ask governor to fill Ciavarella’s seat

March 17, 2009

Corruption probe affecting townhouse project

March 17, 2009

Insurance awards looked at amid judicial probe

March 15, 2009

Most judicial hopefuls to take lawyers’ money

March 15, 2009

Lawyers’ donations to judges debated

March 14, 2009

Ciavarella off bench Monday

March 14, 2009

Lehigh County senior judge may preside over Laurel Gardens case

March 13, 2009

Ciavarella resigns judgeship

March 13, 2009

Grimm completes initial review of Ciavarella's cases

March 12, 2009

Judges keeping up with caseload, so far

March 11, 2009

Judges plan to review case scheduling

March 11, 2009

Corruption added to 2 judges’ lawsuit

March 11, 2009

17 running for 3 county judge seats

March 10, 2009

Lokuta’s petition ‘desperate,’ conduct board attorney says

March 10, 2009

Judges, forget the ‘country club’ life

March 10, 2009

Powell Law Group fighting motions to overturn $3.4M award

March 9, 2009

Tunkhannock doctor case in limbo

March 7, 2009

Closed juvie center could serve again

March 6, 2009

Judge suit questions court tabs

March 5, 2009

Lokuta filing could reduce ballot spots

March 5, 2009

Muroski: I reported suspicious activity

March 5, 2009

Wife lists judge’s office phone as company number

March 4, 2009

Lokuta wants seat off ballot

March 4, 2009

Fraud statute has critics, supporters

March 3, 2009

Price of disgraced judges’ condo drops $100K

March 1, 2009

Crime of punishment?

February 28, 2009

Felons dispute roles

February 27, 2009

Ciavarella, Conahan targets of new suit

February 27, 2009

Lawyer sees case for ex-juvie workers

February 26, 2009

Law firm to alter juvenile lawsuit

February 26, 2009

Deputy Mulroy named as acting court administrator

February 26, 2009

Judges confirm FBI interviews

February 25, 2009

It’s official: Sharkey ousted from court job

February 25, 2009

D’Elia’s attorney wary of supposed informant

February 24, 2009

Sharkey fired from court administrator job

February 24, 2009

Update: Moran could face charges if she violates agreement to cooperate

February 24, 2009

Taxpayer liability in scandal in question

February 22, 2009

Integrity theme as judge hopefuls line up

February 20, 2009

Hearing sought on Conahan settlement

February 20, 2009

Petition: Witness to tie judges to D’Elia

February 20, 2009

D.J. Amesbury now 12th candidate for judge

February 20, 2009

Juvie workers ask for jobs back

February 20, 2009

8-month road trip for Sharkey?

February 19, 2009

Judges’ civil cases may exhaust funds

February 19, 2009

Sharkey had county car during leave

February 19, 2009

Judge cases spilling into adult court

February 18, 2009

Judge in town to review cases

February 18, 2009

Ciavarella’s seat won’t be on this year’s ballot

February 18, 2009

Sharkey pleads to embezzlement

February 18, 2009

Five others named in W-Cat loan default

February 17, 2009

Four announce intentions to run for judge

February 17, 2009

Sharkey’s plea expected today

February 17, 2009

Judge: Staffer will absorb Guesto’s duties

February 16, 2009

Officials hope scandals won’t tarnish birthday

February 15, 2009

’91 case casting shadows on today

February 14, 2009

Conahan got cash from pension fund

February 14, 2009

Class action suits filed vs. judges

February 14, 2009

Jurist hopeful wants to answer ‘call’

February 14, 2009

Juvie centers not target of ongoing probe

February 14, 2009

Judges cut $2.8M from Luzerne County payroll

February 13, 2009

State Supreme Court terminates pay and benefits for Ciavarella

February 13, 2009

Class action lawsuit filed against Ciavarella, Conahan, others

February 13, 2009

Ex-prosecutor to run for bench

February 13, 2009

Jurists hit with loan default

February 13, 2009

Emotions fly outside courthouse

February 13, 2009

Judges admit tax evasion, fraud

February 13, 2009

Guesto loses his court post

February 12, 2009

Ciavarella, Conahan emerge from courthouse after pleading guilty

February 12, 2009

Feds seek to notify victims

February 12, 2009

Audit: County paid for empty juvie beds

February 12, 2009

Court to lay off 25 employees

February 12, 2009

Judge picked to review Ciavarella juvenile cases

February 12, 2009

Powell ‘victim’ of judges’ demands, lawyers say

February 12, 2009

Attorney: Arbitration awards led to investigation

February 12, 2009

Limos, new suit part of $2.26M juvie costs eyed

February 11, 2009

Court system lays off 25 employees

February 11, 2009

Similarly named law firm ‘not’ implicated group

February 11, 2009

Court to evaluate arbitration

February 11, 2009

County judges finalize plan to cut $1.9 million in salaries

February 10, 2009

County judges agree on court staff reduction plan

February 10, 2009

Muroski officially withdraws lawsuit

February 10, 2009

Judges stayed at Conahan condo

February 9, 2009

Ciavarella: I disgraced judgeship

February 8, 2009

Is Paradise Lost for suspects?

February 7, 2009

Plains attorney joins county judge race

February 7, 2009

Court employees, job titles and salaries

February 7, 2009

Court publicly advertises 2 prison board openings

February 7, 2009

Judges agree to cuts

February 6, 2009

Federal officials create Web site for courthouse corruption

February 6, 2009

Reshuffling will let three judges work in Penn Place Building

February 6, 2009

Halfway house furloughs revoked

February 6, 2009

Commissioners, judge strike deal

February 5, 2009

Law Center meets with juveniles

February 5, 2009

Order could lead to probation fix

February 5, 2009

Judge Musto’s son facing drug charges

February 5, 2009

Judge panel to evaluate supervisors

February 4, 2009

Sharkey to plead guilty to count of embezzling

February 4, 2009

Review of Ciavarella orders set

February 4, 2009

Prothonotary Moran mum about resignation reports, link to judges

February 4, 2009

Courthouse arrests upset Hazleton area residents

February 4, 2009

Administrator’s charges add to courthouse stain

February 3, 2009

Lawyers: 2 judges to get more than ‘slap on wrist’

February 3, 2009

Pa. Supreme Court to review juvie cases

February 2, 2009

Muroski terminates medical leave of Court Administrator William Sharkey

February 2, 2009

Expert: Voters’ mood could prompt upsets

February 1, 2009

A long history of controversies

January 31, 2009

Sharkey status being reviewed

January 31, 2009

Petrilla, judge to work out budget cuts together

January 31, 2009

Dealer a guest at judges’ condo

January 31, 2009

Muroski promises new day

January 30, 2009

Kingston’s Tom O’Connor to run for county judge

January 30, 2009

President Judge election to be open to public

January 30, 2009

Hazleton law firm wants to use criminal info in appeal of case

January 30, 2009

Conahan resigns from DeNaples bank board

January 30, 2009

Powell may eat words about PA Child Care

January 30, 2009

Juvenile Law Center seeks broad review of Ciavarella’s cases

January 29, 2009

Powell’s yacht tied to condo linked to judges

January 29, 2009

Pa. court relieves judges of duties

January 29, 2009

More and more parents considering civil rights suits

January 29, 2009

Will gavel come down on Central Court?

January 29, 2009

County still uses youth detention center

January 29, 2009

No pension for ex-county worker

January 29, 2009

Judges may face forfeiture

January 28, 2009

Supreme Court suspends Ciavarella and Conahan; pleas set for Feb. 12

January 28, 2009

Embattled Conahan’s status on bank’s board of directors unknown

January 28, 2009

Dyller eyes potential lawsuits

January 28, 2009

Suspension sought for two judges

January 28, 2009

President judge vote on Friday

January 28, 2009

Urban: Conahan exceeded power

January 28, 2009

Judge seeks changes to post

January 28, 2009

Feds: At least $370,000 listed as nautical costs

January 27, 2009

Judges to vote for new president judge on Friday

January 27, 2009

Judicial Conduct Board to seek suspension of Judges Ciavarella/Conahan

January 27, 2009

Federal judge assigned to Conahan/Ciavarella case

January 27, 2009

Monday at a glance

January 27, 2009

Muroski vows to re-establish confidence

January 27, 2009

Legal advocate, parent: Judge let down youths

January 27, 2009

Muroski’s goal: Big changes for courts

January 27, 2009

Judge case will impact choice facing voters

January 27, 2009

Ciavarella’s lawyers file papers

January 27, 2009

Judge Musto: ‘Sad, vindicated’

January 27, 2009

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TIMELINE

January 27, 2009

Center critic praises probers

January 27, 2009

Spokesman: Judges likely to lose pensions

January 27, 2009

Feds: Judges used system to enrich selves

January 26, 2009

U.S. Attorney: Ciavarella, Conahan agree to serve 87 months in prison

January 26, 2009

Federal Authorities: Ciavarella, Conahan concealed $2.6 million

January 26, 2009

Acting Luzerne County president judge orders hiring, transfer freeze

January 26, 2009

Ciavarella calls county's reaction to lawsuit "inflammatory and irrelevant"

January 26, 2009

Ciavarella resigns as president judge

January 26, 2009

Background on federal probe

January 26, 2009

News conference set on public corruption investigation

January 26, 2009

Luzerne County Commissioners comment on alleged charges against county judges

January 26, 2009

Statement from Luzerne County judges

January 26, 2009

Update: Source says feds to announce charges against judges Conahan/Ciavarella

January 24, 2009

Clerk of Courts seeks to intervene in Ciavarella suit against commissioners

January 23, 2009

Ciavarella OKs new job for aide

January 22, 2009

Sources: Judges to be charged

January 22, 2009

Commissioners challenge judge’s personnel action

January 21, 2009

Race for trio of positions on county bench getting crowded

January 21, 2009

Musto eyes different judgeship

January 21, 2009

Three judge posts on ballot this year

January 15, 2009

Court denies request to reopen juvie cases

January 14, 2009

County may dispute pay scale

January 8, 2009

Court officer’s paid leave of absence 4 months long

January 7, 2009

County says judge drove up budget

January 7, 2009

Court official defends hires

January 7, 2009

Lokuta files appeal with state Supreme Court

January 6, 2009

Hirings in courts upsetting to Petrilla

January 1, 2009

Court refuses to revisit Lokuta ruling

December 24, 2008

Lokuta’s motion opposed

December 23, 2008

Motion for juveniles to be filed

December 20, 2008

Pa. association backs Petrilla

December 20, 2008

Lokuta files reconsideration request to Pa. conduct board

December 20, 2008

County responds to judge’s challenge

December 19, 2008

Judiciary gets layoff injunction

December 19, 2008

Philly law firm to defend two commissioners

December 18, 2008

Judges suing county over cuts

December 11, 2008

Appeal could slow replacing Lokuta

December 10, 2008

Judge’s staff given 2-weeks’ job notice

December 10, 2008

State court bans Lokuta from bench

December 9, 2008

Lokuta removed from bench

December 9, 2008

Sanctions hearing for Judge Lokuta begins today

December 9, 2008

Court likely to sue over budget cuts

December 7, 2008

Case against Judge Lokuta somewhat troubling Opinion Betty Roccograndi

December 4, 2008

Row officers plan huddle

December 3, 2008

Lokuta lawyer seeking 29 witnesses

November 21, 2008

Pa. court dismisses Lokuta’s objections

November 18, 2008

Lokuta alleges ‘double standard’

November 15, 2008

Judge goes to work on budget

November 12, 2008

Court defensive about psych-evaluation audit

November 9, 2008

Critics say court has problems

November 7, 2008

Lokuta’s staff still on payroll

November 6, 2008

Judicial board suspends Judge Lokuta

November 5, 2008

State Court suspends Judge Lokuta

November 4, 2008

Lokuta gets leave of absence

November 1, 2008

Lokuta’s duties not likely to change

October 31, 2008

Board: Lokuta violated ethics

August 1, 2008

Ciavarella defends sentence


Most Viewed Luzerne County Judges Stories in Past 7 Days

1. DA will retry 50 juvenile cases
2. How juvie scandal was uncovered
3. Judge Toole takes break for November
4. Juvie panel gets history summary
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6. Insurers challenge juvie claims
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Most E-Mailed Luzerne County Judges Stories in Past 7 Days

1. DA will retry 50 juvenile cases
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3. Court system gone awry



The Times LeaderThe Weekender - NEPA's #1 Arts and Entertainment WeeklyThe Abington Journal - Serving the Clarks Summit area of Lackawanna CountyThe Dallas Post - Serving the Back Mountain of Luzerne CountyThe Pittston Dispatch - Serving the upper Wyoming ValleyEl Mensajero - El único semanario Hispano de noticias en el Noreste de Pennsylvania.
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