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President Judge Michael T. Conahan signs a commitment to send juveniles to a proposed for-profit detention center in which Powell is an investor.
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Powell, a former county planning commission solicitor, is first identified publicly as an investor in the proposed center.
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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.
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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.
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The county begins sending juveniles to Powell's for-profit center.
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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.
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Cooperating with federal investigators, Powell secretly records conversations with the two judges
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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
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Powell pleads guilty to failing to report a felony and being an accessory to a crime. He faces up 5½ years in prison.
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Powell testifies against Ciavarella, who is convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison.
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Conahan is sentenced to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy.
