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Ciavarella
SCRANTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a motion Friday asking a judge to order the forfeiture of nearly $1 million by former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella. The forfeiture was ruled on by the jury after it convicted Ciavarella on multiple corruption charges Feb. 18.
Shortly after handing down the verdicts, the jury deliberated and determined that Ciavarella is liable for $997,000. That’s the amount developer Robert Mericle paid as a “finder’s fee” to Ciavarella after the former judge helped Mericle land the contract to build two private juvenile detention centers. Ciavarella was accused of accepting money in exchange for actions from the bench that benefited those centers. Mericle pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing.
Friday’s paperwork does not mention any specific properties the government expects Ciavarella to forfeit, saying instead it includes “any property constituting or derived from the” $997,000.
The paperwork also says that if the judge grants the preliminary motion, the government will post on its website the order, giving any “third parties” a chance to lay claim to the property.
Court filings suggest Ciavarella is deep in debt, and during his trial he testified that, since resigning as judge after the initial charges in January 2009, he has struggled to find even part-time work, most recently delivering flowers and working with a commercial service, cleaning offices.
But U.S. Assistant Attorney Gordon Zubrod has contended Ciavarella diverted assets while awaiting his trial.
Friday’s motion argues the court has the authority to enter a preliminary order of forfeiture that would authorize the attorney general to “seize specific property subject to forfeiture.”
Ciavarella has filed an appeal, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office notes “the court may include in the order of forfeiture conditions reasonably necessary to preserve the property’s value pending any appeal.”