Former district judge sentenced in federal court

Pittston Dispatch // News

November 23, 2009

Terrie Morgan-Besecker

Karen Holly, a former employee at the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authoity charged with stealing from the authority, enters the Federal Couthouse in Wilkes-Barre Monday morning for sentencing.

Don Carey / Times Leader Photo

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Holly

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WILKES-BARRE - A federal judge on Monday ordered former district magistrate Karen Holly to serve 30 days in a halfway house and two years probation for stealing more than $6,000 from the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority.

Holly and her attorney, William Ruzzo, had hoped she would receive a sentence of straight probation. But U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo said he felt compelled to include some term of incarceration because the theft involved public funds.

“It’s important that we distinguish this case from other cases of simple embezzlement,” Caputo said. “This recognizes, when you violate public trust, you pay the penalty.”

Holly, 51, of West Pittston, pleaded guilty in August to one count of theft of funds concerning programs receiving federal funding. Federal prosecutors say Holly, who served as a district magistrate in West Pittston from 2002 to 2003, used her position as a billing clerk to pocket money that was paid to the authority by rate payers.

A tearful Holly apologized for the crime, telling Caputo she took the money because she was having personal and financial problems.

“I was going to put it back,” Holly said, her voiced choked with emotion. “I can’t explain why I did it . . . Something just happened. It wasn’t me.”

Holly was allowed to remain free pending the imposition of the sentence. Ruzzo said Holly will most likely serve her 30 days at a federal halfway house in Scranton. No report date was set as there are no free beds at this time, Ruzzo said.

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38 Reader Comments

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jeff said...

that is it?

November 23, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Buford T Justice said...

30 days thats it? WOW!

November 23, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Matt O said...

Wow don't be too harsh! When is the saying ALL MEN CREATED EQUAL going to actually mean something?!

November 23, 2009 at 11:42 AM

Mona said...

what exactly is a community confinement center? American Legion? JC Penneys? What??

November 23, 2009 at 11:51 AM

martip said...

that's it? Justice in NEPA!~

November 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM

DOT said...

30 days..already in place.. what about the 2 scum bag judge's???now 3 I think c-c +c.. Keeps proving who you know and $$$ you have, evne if you have to be drooked to get it.

November 23, 2009 at 11:56 AM

John (W-B) said...

COME ON ALREADY!!! Why are these thieves getting special treatment?!?! It's almost an incentive to steal! And the people that helped cover it up...what are they getting? A raise?!?!

November 23, 2009 at 12:04 PM

taxpayerX20 said...

I hope she is singing like a bird and taking some of the WVSA Board members down......

November 23, 2009 at 12:05 PM

MiMi said...

It took longer to figure out how much she took from the Authority. Ridiculous.

November 23, 2009 at 12:06 PM

bababoobie said...

I am outraged. I think I will start my life of crime now since the sentences are so low.

November 23, 2009 at 12:13 PM

equal justice said...

How about the crooks who let her get away with this the first time around? They should be in jail too.

November 23, 2009 at 12:19 PM

maureenw3@verizon.net said...

only in luzerne county

November 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM

Vinnie said...

Just ANOTHER slap on the wrist..... Where are the judges that "STUDIED LAW"

November 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM

OUTRAGED said...

Steal 6 grand and get 30 days. What is going on here. That is not punishment!!!!! Where is the justice??? People go to jail for much less. I simply do not understand this.OUTRAGOUS !!!!!!

November 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM

Jail for Judges said...

this goes to show you that's there's two justice systems, one for the criminal elite and another for the rest us. How much time in jail do you think you or I would do if we got caught stealing 6K. this stinks

November 23, 2009 at 12:38 PM

a4mrnepansidr said...

Hate to see anybody go to prison; however, simply using vac/sck time as reparation once ‘caught’ establishes a bad precedence and example for all. In others jobs, such perks would have been forfeited or non-existent. Happy Thanksgiving and hopefully Karen will take this extended fortune to cooperate completely. Certainly, the cover-ups are always worse than the crime.

November 23, 2009 at 12:41 PM

krmike said...

JUST THINK IF SHE HAD STOLE $1,000,000 OR MORE SHE WOULD STILL BE WALKING AMONG US !!!!!!

November 23, 2009 at 12:48 PM

Taxpayer4REELJustice said...

Here we go again! You would think that the criminal would say "NO JUDGE PLEASE GIVE ME MORE THAN 30 DAYS IN ROYALTY SO-CALLED PUNISHMENT" I BEG FOR TIME IN A PRISON AS I STOLE FROM THE HARD WORKING TAXPAYERS AND SENIOR OF LUZERNE COUNTY. Have a HOLLY JOLLY HOLLYDAY!

November 23, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Bob said...

As maureenw said, "ONLY IN LUZERNE COUNTY!!!!!"

November 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM

Dave Jones said...

What a farce !!!!

November 23, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Here we go again said...

Boy,now that she is exonerated,i hope they replace olzewski with her in january.If Jesse and Frank James were alive today i bet they would love to work in luzerne county

November 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM

tbone said...

30 days AND..... I woudl hope restitution. I would hope she is banned from public service.

November 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM

Bubba said...

What a joke. This is a mockery of the judicial system.

November 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM

I'm John Senchak, and I approve of this message said...

30 DAYS!!!! What kind of quad-Pro-Quo deal did she do to get that light of a sentence. Maybe Skrep put in a good word ?

November 23, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Sammy said...

The kid that stole the #3.49 jar of nutmeg from the Super Market got much more time than that and was sent to Camp David. I think the punishment in these 2 cases should have been reversed. Think about it $3.49 verses $6000.00 and she got the lesser sentence and in a nicer place. Wow people in LC better start opening their eyes and do something about this kind of BS.

November 23, 2009 at 2:53 PM

J.W. said...

Some bulls**t! The punishment amounts to a congratulatory slap on the back. Punishment to set an example? It is more like an incentive to do it again. If it was John Q. Public with no connection, he or she would be serving significant prison time. I am so disheartened with the judicial system, it seems to be all corrupt.

November 23, 2009 at 3:10 PM

mgiamber said...

Magistrate Karen Holly should be held to a higher standard than the average citizen. Instead she receives preferential treatment. Most people that are struggling financially would gladly spend 30 days in half way house for $6K. Moral of the story:Crime pays in Luzerne County.

November 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM

mgm said...

curious as to why it wasnt mentioned that she is a REPUBLICIAN?

November 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM

Franker said...

C'mon everyone! No need to sit here with our hands raised and faces reddened in incredulity. If that is all the "punishment" is to line your pockets in these tough times in Luzerne County, then let's get on the bandwagon like this joker, the LC judicial system, Dunn, Bonner, et al and start pilfering the bejesus out of any other WV business and/or organization for our gain! Looks like we're missing out on all the fun. Don't push, don't crowd, there's plenty for everyone, apparently.

November 23, 2009 at 5:10 PM

David_wayne said...

I agree with almost everyone above: What a JOKE! I guess we are all equal ... it just seems like some are more equal then others.

November 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM

Rufus T. Firefly said...

How about Caputo is a Clinton appointee who's daughter was Hillary's press secretary. Belading heart liberals anyone?

November 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM

NOT GOING TO PAY TAX.EVER said...

boy if we all wer able to take money .and be tryed by a fed. judge we can get a way with it. or just stay at home for jale time. ill try it how about you

November 23, 2009 at 6:14 PM

Justice said...

Turn 'em Loose Bruce Caputo is on the trail of justice once again. Just turned fellow Shiverfellows loose, so what is one more fellow attorney sent packing in tears to do? Judges are above the law, or didn't you know? Caputo expects their cousins to turn his relatives loose when their time comes in this pot of nepotism

November 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM

El said...

I agree with all the others, and she didn't even have the gall to apologize the people she stole it from..ONLY the JUDGE! Way to go Luz Cty! Maybe we all should start a life of crime, our cty sure promotes it.

November 23, 2009 at 10:07 PM

Tom Gusher said...

This is the type of punisment the average joe should get. People working for joe public should have the book thrown at them. The crooks are still incharge of the hen house !

November 23, 2009 at 10:35 PM

Disgusted! said...

Guess she's an honorary member of the Boys Clubs!

November 24, 2009 at 7:53 AM

Roe said...

Restitution is most definately necessary. I did read she tearfully apologized. I have worked with company money many times in my life and never once thought of it as "my money"...never once took from the til for a single coffee or lunch. It wasn't mine to do so. This is the place I want to move back to? It saddens me that even good people think they can get away with it.

November 25, 2009 at 4:49 AM

THE OBSERVER said...

MRS. HOLLY, WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING HARD TIMES THESE DAYS, OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED. THE MONEY YOU HELPED YOURSELF TO HAD TO BE SCRAPED TOGETHER TO PAY THESE SEWER FEES SO WE ALL DONT HAVE TO DRINK SEWER WATER. YOU WERE A MAGISTRATE? OH MY GOD. HOW MANY PEOPLE WENT TO JAIL FOR SIMILAR CRIMES AND YOU SENT THEM THERE WHEN YOU SENT THEM TO COUNTY COURT TO BE REPRESENTED BY A PUBLIC DEFENDER BECAUSE THEY COULDNT AFFORD A PRIVATE ATTY. AND WE ALL KNOW ALL THE DEFENSE THEY GET IS 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE HEARING. ONLY IN LUZERNE COUNTY. A MAGISTRATE WANNABE STEALING FROM THE TAXPAYERS.

December 2, 2009 at 9:28 AM