On Thursday in Federal District Court in Scranton, more than 80 people packed every available seat in the courtroom. Many of them were first-time offenders and some remain in detention. "All I wanted to know was how this could be fair and why the judge would do such a thing.". LinkBack. That amounts to 7.3 million Americans and a cost that exceeds $68 billion annually. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit - NYTimes.com At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Only Illinois, New Mexico and North Carolina require juveniles to have representation when they appear before judges. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit Posted on 2009 February 15 by BBVM At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. During the court hearing, there was an argument over Shah's bail. new-rules-for-juveniles-in-pa-courts; Ian Urbina & Sean D. Hamill, Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit,N.Y.TIMES, Feb. 13, 2009, at A22. Because of people like you, another world is possible. Add Thread to del.icio.us; Bookmark in Technorati; Tweet this thread; Thread Tools. see www.associatedconten…Does the article below shed light on the statement above?www.nytimes.com/2009… say Judges Michael T. Conahan, and Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., above, took kickbacks to send teenagers to detention centers.At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was a stellar student who had never been in trouble, and the page stated clearly at the bottom that it was just a joke.Instead, the judge sentenced her to three months at a juvenile detention center on a charge of harassment. He also routinely ignored requests for leniency made by prosecutors and probation officers. Lawyers for both men declined to comment. The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. Jun 19, 2006 18,596 7,665 136. We don't want advertising dollars. Prosecutors said the investigation into the case was continuing. Support Our Work -- Join the small group of generous readers who donate, keeping Common Dreams free for millions of people each year. We want the world to be a better place. - with a Fire Fauci Act and We Will Not Comply Act, because idiotic freedom! Without Your Support We Simply Don't Exist. “We’re not backing off.”No charges have been filed against executives of the detention centers. … Instead, the judge sentenced her to three months at a juvenile detention center on a charge of harassment. At one point, as Assistant United States Attorney William S. Houser explained to Judge Edwin M. Kosik that the government was willing to reach a plea agreement with the men because the case involved "complex charges that could have resulted in years of litigation," one man sitting in the audience said "bull" loud enough to be heard in the courtroom. They shut down the county-run juvenile detention center, arguing that it was in poor condition, the authorities said, and maintained that the county had no choice but to send detained juveniles to the newly built private detention centers. “It was nice to see them sitting on the other side of the bench.” No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG – www.avg.comVersion: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2694 – Release Date: 02/17/10 22:30:00, Copy of Appeal sent out to regular e-mail contacts, FW: Interview Mike Robinson from UK Column about Hollie Griegs case, New Subs, Layers of Deception, Toxic Masks?, Vax and “Software Updates”, Doctors who have Challenged the COVID Narrative, Disappearing Flu. "I felt like I had been thrown into some surreal sort of nightmare," said Hillary, 17, who was sentenced in 2007. "It was nice to see them sitting on the other side of the bench.". The judges pleaded guilty in federal court in Scranton to honest services fraud and tax fraud. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit. Clay Yeager, the former director of the Office of Juvenile Justice in Pennsylvania, said typical juvenile proceedings are kept closed to the public to protect the privacy of children. While prosecutors say that Judge Conahan, 56, secured contracts for the two centers to house juvenile offenders, Judge Ciavarella, 58, was the one who carried out the sentencing to keep the centers filled. They should fry for this, not just do some time in club fed. They are expected to be sentenced in the next several months. At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. This make me sick to my stomach. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit Posted on 2009 February 15 by BBVM At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at her high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. For years, youth advocacy groups complained that Judge Ciavarella was unusually harsh. Judges plead guilty to accepting kickbacks for jailing youth. Common DreamsP.O. Prosecutors say the judges tried to conceal the kickbacks as payments to a company they control in Florida. Lawyers for both men declined to comment. Because of people like you, another world is possible. Free Donuts! Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit (Published 2009) Selling kids for money... Commercial Detention centers and corrupt or political judges - not a good mix. Social. A former state judges accused of taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to send youth offenders to for-profit detention facilities agrees to plead guilty to a federal racketeering charge. Since state law forbids retirement benefits to judges convicted of a felony while in office, the judges would also lose their pensions. If the court agrees to the plea agreement, both judges will serve 87 months in federal prison and resign from the bench and bar. No one is above the law? “It’s horrible to have your child taken away in shackles right in front of you when you think you’re going home with him,” she said. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. Clay Yeager, the former director of the Office of Juvenile Justice in Pennsylvania, said typical juvenile proceedings are kept closed to the public to protect the privacy of children.“But they are kept open to probation officers, district attorneys, and public defenders, all of whom are sworn to protect the interests of children,” he said. Please help keep Common Dreams alive by making a contribution. “We’re not negotiating that, no,” Mr. Zubrod said. Criminals acting as Judges, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and Judge Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. Two Pennsylvania judges were accused of taking bribes to send teenagers to private detention centers. LinkBack URL; About LinkBacks ; Bookmark & Share; Digg this Thread! And then instead of making insane videos, you actually do something productive about it? There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Families break apart. Two Luzerne County judges plead guilty in kickback scheme ... sent youths to the detention center while he was taking payments, prosecutors said. The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. The gray-haired jurists said little at Thursday's hearing, and declined to comment to reporters afterward. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit By IAN URBINA and SEAN D. HAMILL At worst, Hillary Transue thought she might get a stern lecture when she appeared before a judge for building a spoof MySpace page mocking the assistant principal at … The judges pleaded guilty in federal court in Scranton to honest services fraud and tax fraud. And it raised concerns about whether juveniles should be required to have counsel either before or during their appearances in court and whether juvenile courts should be open to the public or child advocates. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit. Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan are said to have… She did not publicly appear on video. Prosecutors described a scheme in which Conahan, ... sent youths to the detention … They are expected to be sentenced in the next several months. Archived ... Prison sentences have skyrocketed since the 70s when they allowed private prisons to exist. The judges are scheduled to plead guilty to fraud Thursday in federal court. The case has shocked Luzerne County, an area in northeastern Pennsylvania that has been battered by a loss of industrial jobs and the closing of most of its anthracite coal mines. Mar 26, 2019 #1 This is why private jails and detention centers need to … Prosecutors said the investigation into the case was continuing. - Craig Brown, Co-founder. Their plea agreements call for sentences of more than seven years behind bars. "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah has pleaded not guilty to federal charges in relation to a multi-state telemarketing fraud scheme. "We're not backing off.". “All I wanted to know was how this could be fair and why the judge would do such a thing.” The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. But in Pennsylvania, as in at least 20 other states, children can waive counsel, and about half of the children that Judge Ciavarella sentenced had chosen to do so. With Judge Conahan serving as president judge in control of the budget and Judge Ciavarella overseeing the juvenile courts, they set the kickback scheme in motion in December 2002, the authorities said.They shut down the county-run juvenile detention center, arguing that it was in poor condition, the authorities said, and maintained that the county had no choice but to send detained juveniles to the newly built private detention centers. Democracy Now An unprecedented case of judicial corruption is unfolding in Pennsylvania. In addition to jailing the youths, the judges also admitted to helping “facilitate” the construction of private jails. Update: Video from Democracy Now below. Though he pleaded guilty to the charges Thursday, Judge Ciavarella has denied sentencing juveniles who did not deserve it or sending them to the detention centers in a quid pro quo with the centers.But Assistant United States Attorney Gordon A. Zubrod said after the hearing that the government continues to charge a quid pro quo. By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press Writer. “It’s pretty clear those people didn’t do their jobs.” On Thursday in Federal District Court in Scranton, more than 80 people packed every available seat in the courtroom. "We're not negotiating that, no," Mr. Zubrod said. And then instead of making insane videos, you actually do something productive about it? - the loudest is Marjorie 'I Live To Troll' Three Names. Another Baltimore Injustice “Unattainable bails change lives. Two Pennsylvania judges were accused of taking bribes to send teenagers to private detention centers. Hillary Transue was sentenced to three months in juvenile detention for a spoof Web page mocking an assistant principal. But we can't do it alone. Common Dreams brings you the news that matters. One of the parents at the hearing was Susan Mishanski of Hanover Township.Her son, Kevin, now 18, was sentenced to 90 days in a detention facility last year in a simple assault case that everyone had told her would result in probation, since Kevin had never been in trouble and the boy he hit had only a black eye. The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care. Common Dreams has been providing breaking news & views for the progressive community since 1997. Thread starter Thebobo; Start date Mar 26, 2019; Sidebar Sidebar. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do. AMY GOODMAN: We’re talking about the case of two judges who have pled guilty to receiving $2.6 million in return for placing youths in privately owned jails. "It's horrible to have your child taken away in shackles right in front of you when you think you're going home with him," she said. Before accepting your plea, the judge has to be sure that you understand the charge you face. Thank you. “The answers became a bit clearer on Thursday as the judge, Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., and a colleague, Michael T. Conahan, appeared in federal court in Scranton, Pa., to plead guilty to wire fraud and income tax fraud for taking more than $2.6 million in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers run by PA Child Care and a sister company, Western PA Child Care.” We are independent, non-profit, advertising-free and 100% reader supported. Only Illinois, New Mexico and North Carolina require juveniles to have representation when they appear before judges. One of the parents at the hearing was Susan Mishanski of Hanover Township. I think it would be a good idea to look into all situations of people of all ages being sentenced to any privately-run facility. Since state law forbids retirement benefits to judges convicted of a felony while in office, the judges would also lose their pensions. If you have a lawyer and are ready to proceed, the youth justice court judge will ask if you want to plead “guilty” or “not guilty”. See Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit. For years, youth advocacy groups complained that Judge Ciavarella was unusually harsh. With Judge Conahan serving as president judge in control of the budget and Judge Ciavarella overseeing the juvenile courts, they set the kickback scheme in motion in December 2002, the authorities said. Among the usual moronic suspects turning Congress into a wingnut circus - no gun control/ COVID relief/ voting rights! 365. Last year, the Juvenile Law Center, which had raised concerns about Judge Ciavarella in the past, filed a motion to the State Supreme Court about more than 500 juveniles who had appeared before the judge without representation. Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Judges Plead Guilty in Payoffs for Jailing Youths . "It's pretty clear those people didn't do their jobs.". Judges plead guilty in sending kids to lockup Two Pennsylvania judges charged with taking kickbacks to send youth offenders to privately run detention centers have pleaded guilty to fraud. Toron has only claimed his innocence since being accused of taking part in this crime. The New York Times is reporting that judges Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. and Michael T. Conahan have plead guilty to charges that they took money to provide a privately owned youth jail with prisoners. Judges Plead Guilty in Scheme to Jail Youths for Profit We have all moved on to another American owned NY gun forum that doesn't censor you or contribute revenue to anti gun causes. Lose their pensions on Thursday in federal court of judicial corruption is unfolding Pennsylvania... And China prison population during the court hearing, there was an argument over Shah 's bail he! Benefits to judges convicted of a felony while in office, the judges also! 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