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Luzerne County judges Conahan and Ciavarella scheme to collect compensation for sending children to a new juvenile detention center for even minor crimes. Those close to the judges seem to turn the other cheek to this corruption.
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The Juvenile Law Center suggests the Supreme Court investigate cases where juveniles appeared before Judge Mark Ciavarella without Council. Also, Ciavarella's incarceration rate was double the state average.
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Judge Ciavarella admits to improper handling of providing juveniles with council and removes himself from juvenile court in Luzerne County.
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Federal Prosecutors announce that former judges Conahan and Ciavarella will both plead guilty to accepting payment in return to sending kids to juvenile detention centers.
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The Supreme Court finally decides to review Ciavarella via an investigation conducted by Berks County Judge Art Grim.
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Judge Grim recommends that all of Ciavarella's cases from 2003 thru 2008 be vacated.
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Both Ciavarella and Conahan withdraw their guilty pleas after the sentence agreed to in their plea bargains was rejected.
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The Court adapts Judge Grims reccomedation (see Aug 7, 2009).
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Judge Conahan agrees to a new plea agreement, throws Ciavarella under the bus.
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Judge Ciavarella is found guilty of charges related to fraud and other like charges. He is sentenced to 28 years in prison and on his way outside the courthouse, a mother of child he charged yells at him that he ruined her life and killed her son who went on a downward spiral after Ciavarella's charges and eventually took his own life.
