Luzerne County Judges

UPDATE: 12:54 p.m.

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Toole

Times Leader file

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Luzerne County president judge Chester Mursoki announces that Luzerne County judge Michael Toole has signed a plea agreement on Sept. 25 th on charges that he committed honest services fraud. Don Carey Times Leader Photo

Don Carey

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Related Documents

Toole information filing (PDF)
Toole plea agreement (PDF)

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WILKES-BARRE   - Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of honest services fraud and filing a false income tax return, the U.S. Attorney's office announced today.

According to a complaint filed this afternoon, Toole secretly communicated with an attorney to detemine who that attorney wished to have appointed as a netural arbitrator in an underinsured motorist case.  The attorney, who is identified only as participant #1, had given Toole free use of a New Jersey beach house. Toole failed to disclose that information to other parties involved in the arbitration case.

Toole is also charged with failing to report approxiamtely $30,000 he received as a referral fee from antoher attorney on his income tax return in 2006.

The plea agreement calls for Toole to resign from office within 10 days of acceptance of the plea. The crimes carry a maximum sentence of up to 23 years in prison.

For further updates check back with www.timesleader.com

Posted 12:25 p.m.

WILKES-BARRE    - Federal prosecutors have charged Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole with honest services fraud and filing a false income tax return.

For furher updates check back with www.timesleader.com