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And It Begins....
President Judge Michael T. Conahan signs a commitment to send juveniles to a proposed for-profit detention center in which Powell is an investor. -
Powell Goes Under The Radar
Powell, a former county planning commission solicitor, is first identified publicly as an investor in the proposed center. -
To Little To Late
The courts, at Conahan's direction, inform the county that juveniles will no longer be sent to the aging county-owned detention center beginning in 2003. -
Shenanigans...
In a transaction directed by Powell, $610,000 is paid to a company owned by Conahan. Over the next four years, Powell and developer Robert K. Mericle would pay Conahan and juvenile court Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. $2.8 million. -
The Poor Kids
The county begins sending juveniles to Powell's for-profit center. -
Powell Takes the Money and Runs
Six days after The Citizens' Voice breaks the news of the kids-for-cash probe, Powell agrees to sell his share of two detention centers to his partner, Greg Zappala. -
Friends No More
Cooperating with federal investigators, Powell secretly records conversations with the two judges -
Not So Fast
Federal prosecutors announce Conahan and Ciavarella will plead guilty to fraud and serve 87 months in prison. Their plea agreements are subsequently rejected by a federal judge -
Powell Gets What He Deserves
Powell pleads guilty to failing to report a felony and being an accessory to a crime. He faces up 5½ years in prison. -
Bye Bye Ciavarella
Powell testifies against Ciavarella, who is convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison. -
You too Conahan
Conahan is sentenced to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy.
