Luzerne County Judges

Latest Headlines

July 2, 2009

Ex-judge defends actions

ALLENTOWN – He was called to testify about decisions he made in a $3.5 million defamation case, but former Judge Mark Ciavarella spent far more time Thursday defending himself against allegations lodged in his own corruption case.

July 2, 2009

Servers: D’Elia, Conahan met often

ALLENTOWN – To the two waitresses at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, they were just two regular customers who ordered ham-and-cheese omelets and sat at a back table.

July 1, 2009

Powell pleads to 2 felonies

SCRANTON – After a career appearing in court as a powerful lawyer, a subdued Robert Powell sat in the defendant’s seat in federal court Wednesday to plead guilty to felony charges for failing to report illegal activity by two former Luzerne County judges.

July 1, 2009

Powell pleads guilty to 2 charges in federal court

Attorney Robert Powell pleaded guilty to charges of accessory after the fact and misprision of a felony this morning at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Scranton.

June 29, 2009

Firing Brulo would have saved county $4,500

WILKES-BARRE – A loophole within Luzerne County’s personnel policy allowed a juvenile probation official charged with altering a court record to collect more than $4,500 for unused sick and personal time that she would not have been entitled to had she been fired.

June 27, 2009

Lawyers consolidate juvie suits

SCRANTON – Four federal lawsuits filed on behalf of hundreds of juveniles who allege they were wrongly incarcerated have been consolidated into two master complaints – a move attorneys say will likely help speed resolution of the cases.

June 26, 2009

Judge scandal featured online

The ongoing Luzerne County public corruption probe has top billing on the regional federal prosecutor’s Web site.

June 24, 2009

Toole’s tipstaff testifies before fed grand jury

SCRANTON – Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole’s tipstaff Tom Marino testified for more than 1 1/2 hours Tuesday before a federal grand jury investigating corruption within the county.

June 19, 2009

Powell yacht to be seized by feds

SCRANTON – Federal prosecutors have begun the process to take possession of attorney Robert Powell’s yacht in accordance with the plea agreement he entered last week related to the Luzerne County corruption probe.

June 18, 2009

Juvie group: DA ignored violations

Intent on obtaining a conviction by “any means necessary,” the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office ignored its obligation to report disgraced judge Mark Ciavarella’s abuse of juveniles’ rights and should be precluded from retrying youths whose cases are vacated, a juvenile advocacy group argues in court papers.

June 15, 2009

Two ex-judges denied pensions

WILKES-BARRE – Former Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan are not entitled to their pensions and could be liable to reimburse the state $4.3 million for higher juvenile placement costs it says are tied to the kickback scheme the jurists engaged in, the State Employees’ Retirement System has determined.

June 15, 2009

Update: DPW files $4.3 million claim against judges' pensions

The state Department of Public Welfare has filed a $4.3 million claim against the pensions of former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan, seeking to recover additional money it claims it was forced to pay to house juveniles due to the kickback scheme the jurists engaged in.

June 12, 2009

Lawyers: Powell’s help aided his case

Attorney Robert Powell’s agreement to wear a wire to record incriminating conversations with two Luzerne County judges was a key factor in obtaining guilty pleas from the jurists, prosecutors say in a court document.

June 10, 2009

Fed document backs Powell’s claim

The statement of offense conduct supports attorneys’ claims that Powell was strong-armed. It details how Conahan and Ciavarella demanded and received $772,500 in kickbacks from Powell. Document directly IDs local developer Robert Mericle as paying part of the kickbacks.

June 10, 2009

Attorney admits his guilt in judge case

SCRANTON – Four months after publicly portraying himself as the victim of extortion by two rogue judges, attorney Robert Powell has admitted he was a willing participant in helping the disgraced jurists conceal part of their illegal activities.

June 9, 2009

UPDATE: Powell agrees to forfeit yacht, jet as part of plea deal

A plea agreement signed by Robert Powell in connection with the Luzerne County juvenile scandal calls for the Butler Township attorney to forfeit his interest in his yacht and jet.

June 5, 2009

Suspended Luzerne County juvie court official wants suits dropped

SCRANTON – A suspended Luzerne County juvenile court official being sued by juveniles who allege they were unjustly incarcerated has filed a motion seeking to dismiss the suits, claiming she has immunity.

June 5, 2009

Judge cites progress in courts

WILKES-BARRE – When President Judge Chester Muroski took the reins of the battered Luzerne County Court system in February, his mind was focused on two questions, he said.

June 3, 2009

Rendell ponders judgeship posts

Democratic Party county chairman says several lawyers want to fill Ciavarella’s seat.

June 3, 2009

Sources: Tipstaff is served

June 2, 2009

Sentencing date for former judges delayed

June 2, 2009

Date set for Ciavarella cases

June 2, 2009

A Conahan ruling overturned; lack of evidence cited

May 30, 2009

Juvie judge deciding how to review former cases

May 30, 2009

Hired judges cut case backlog

May 29, 2009

Ciavarella challenges court pension freeze

May 28, 2009

Ciavarella blocked from pension

May 27, 2009

Order Freezes Pension

May 13, 2009

UPDATE: Judiciary Court gives Lokuta partial victory

May 13, 2009

Former court administrator to be sentenced in August

May 13, 2009

Sprague calls Lokuta's comments 'absurd'

May 12, 2009

Juvenile protections in works

May 10, 2009

Ciavarella case appealed to state’s top court

May 7, 2009

TV show mirrors area legal headlines

May 5, 2009

Muroski seeks Pa. help for case review staffers

May 5, 2009

No pension for Brulo, county board rules

May 5, 2009

Courts seek funding for juvenile record review

May 5, 2009

County denies pension for Brulo

May 5, 2009

Lawyers: No juvie kickbacks

May 5, 2009

Disqualification sought in suit

May 5, 2009

Suspended official wants her pension

May 1, 2009

Bank connected to ex-judges to write off $4.35M

April 29, 2009

Central Court changes take effect July 31

April 27, 2009

Contentious $1M damages case returning to county court

April 27, 2009

Judicial Conduct Board files brief opposing new trial for Lokuta

April 26, 2009

Experts: Convictions spark more evidence

April 13, 2009

Kulick sentencing now May 26

April 10, 2009

Ex-judge may net $50,000

April 8, 2009

High court orders hearing on $3.5M verdict

April 7, 2009

Toole’s recusal in case sought

April 4, 2009

FBI has file of $3.1M award linked to judge

April 3, 2009

FBI removes judge’s case files

April 2, 2009

FBI takes 87 case files involving arbitration awards from county court

April 2, 2009

Officials mull suing two judges

April 2, 2009

Muroski: I’m reviewing ‘missing’ files

April 1, 2009

Ciavarella moves to dismiss lawsuit

April 1, 2009

Judicial scandal inspires plans for remedy

March 31, 2009

County added as defendant in juvie suit

March 31, 2009

Muroski wants Ciavarella seat filled

March 30, 2009

Muroski asks governor's office to put Ciavarella seat on May ballot

March 30, 2009

Luzerne County added as defendant to juvenile suit

March 29, 2009

Arbitrator debate anything but neutral

March 28, 2009

VIDEO: Luzerne County judges featured on ABC's 20/20

March 27, 2009

ABC News show about judges posted online

March 27, 2009

Juvenile records to be erased

March 26, 2009

Supreme Court orders juvenile convictions vacated

March 26, 2009

Ruling: Keep Lokuta seat off ballot

March 25, 2009

Convicts helping agencies

March 24, 2009

Clerk of courts drops budget suit

March 20, 2009

With loan default, legal woes go on for Powell

March 20, 2009

Musto, Bufalino nab top spots

March 20, 2009

Crime victims forgotten in juvie furor, man says

March 18, 2009

Judges ask governor to fill Ciavarella’s seat

March 17, 2009

Corruption probe affecting townhouse project

March 17, 2009

Insurance awards looked at amid judicial probe

March 15, 2009

Most judicial hopefuls to take lawyers’ money

March 15, 2009

Lawyers’ donations to judges debated

March 14, 2009

Ciavarella off bench Monday

March 14, 2009

Lehigh County senior judge may preside over Laurel Gardens case

March 13, 2009

Ciavarella resigns judgeship

March 13, 2009

Grimm completes initial review of Ciavarella's cases

March 12, 2009

Judges keeping up with caseload, so far

March 11, 2009

Judges plan to review case scheduling

March 11, 2009

Corruption added to 2 judges’ lawsuit

March 11, 2009

17 running for 3 county judge seats

March 10, 2009

Lokuta’s petition ‘desperate,’ conduct board attorney says

March 10, 2009

Judges, forget the ‘country club’ life

March 10, 2009

Powell Law Group fighting motions to overturn $3.4M award

March 9, 2009

Tunkhannock doctor case in limbo

March 7, 2009

Closed juvie center could serve again

March 6, 2009

Judge suit questions court tabs

March 5, 2009

Lokuta filing could reduce ballot spots

March 5, 2009

Muroski: I reported suspicious activity

March 5, 2009

Wife lists judge’s office phone as company number

March 4, 2009

Lokuta wants seat off ballot

March 4, 2009

Fraud statute has critics, supporters

March 3, 2009

Price of disgraced judges’ condo drops $100K

March 1, 2009

Crime of punishment?

February 28, 2009

Felons dispute roles

February 27, 2009

Ciavarella, Conahan targets of new suit

February 27, 2009

Lawyer sees case for ex-juvie workers

February 26, 2009

Law firm to alter juvenile lawsuit

February 26, 2009

Deputy Mulroy named as acting court administrator

February 26, 2009

Judges confirm FBI interviews

February 25, 2009

It’s official: Sharkey ousted from court job

February 25, 2009

D’Elia’s attorney wary of supposed informant

February 24, 2009

Sharkey fired from court administrator job

February 24, 2009

Update: Moran could face charges if she violates agreement to cooperate

February 24, 2009

Taxpayer liability in scandal in question

February 22, 2009

Integrity theme as judge hopefuls line up

February 20, 2009

Hearing sought on Conahan settlement

February 20, 2009

Petition: Witness to tie judges to D’Elia

February 20, 2009

D.J. Amesbury now 12th candidate for judge

February 20, 2009

Juvie workers ask for jobs back

February 20, 2009

8-month road trip for Sharkey?

February 19, 2009

Judges’ civil cases may exhaust funds

February 19, 2009

Sharkey had county car during leave

February 19, 2009

Judge cases spilling into adult court

February 18, 2009

Judge in town to review cases

February 18, 2009

Ciavarella’s seat won’t be on this year’s ballot

February 18, 2009

Sharkey pleads to embezzlement

February 18, 2009

Five others named in W-Cat loan default

February 17, 2009

Four announce intentions to run for judge

February 17, 2009

Sharkey’s plea expected today

February 17, 2009

Judge: Staffer will absorb Guesto’s duties

February 16, 2009

Officials hope scandals won’t tarnish birthday

February 15, 2009

’91 case casting shadows on today

February 14, 2009

Conahan got cash from pension fund

February 14, 2009

Class action suits filed vs. judges

February 14, 2009

Jurist hopeful wants to answer ‘call’

February 14, 2009

Juvie centers not target of ongoing probe

February 14, 2009

Judges cut $2.8M from Luzerne County payroll

February 13, 2009

State Supreme Court terminates pay and benefits for Ciavarella

February 13, 2009

Class action lawsuit filed against Ciavarella, Conahan, others

February 13, 2009

Ex-prosecutor to run for bench

February 13, 2009

Jurists hit with loan default

February 13, 2009

Emotions fly outside courthouse

February 13, 2009

Judges admit tax evasion, fraud

February 13, 2009

Guesto loses his court post

February 12, 2009

Ciavarella, Conahan emerge from courthouse after pleading guilty

February 12, 2009

Feds seek to notify victims

February 12, 2009

Audit: County paid for empty juvie beds

February 12, 2009

Court to lay off 25 employees

February 12, 2009

Judge picked to review Ciavarella juvenile cases

February 12, 2009

Powell ‘victim’ of judges’ demands, lawyers say

February 12, 2009

Attorney: Arbitration awards led to investigation

February 12, 2009

Limos, new suit part of $2.26M juvie costs eyed

February 11, 2009

Court system lays off 25 employees

February 11, 2009

Similarly named law firm ‘not’ implicated group

February 11, 2009

Court to evaluate arbitration

February 11, 2009

County judges finalize plan to cut $1.9 million in salaries

February 10, 2009

County judges agree on court staff reduction plan

February 10, 2009

Muroski officially withdraws lawsuit

February 10, 2009

Judges stayed at Conahan condo

February 9, 2009

Ciavarella: I disgraced judgeship

February 8, 2009

Is Paradise Lost for suspects?

February 7, 2009

Plains attorney joins county judge race

February 7, 2009

Court employees, job titles and salaries

February 7, 2009

Court publicly advertises 2 prison board openings

February 7, 2009

Judges agree to cuts

February 6, 2009

Federal officials create Web site for courthouse corruption

February 6, 2009

Reshuffling will let three judges work in Penn Place Building

February 6, 2009

Halfway house furloughs revoked

February 6, 2009

Commissioners, judge strike deal

February 5, 2009

Law Center meets with juveniles

February 5, 2009

Order could lead to probation fix

February 5, 2009

Judge Musto’s son facing drug charges

February 5, 2009

Judge panel to evaluate supervisors

February 4, 2009

Sharkey to plead guilty to count of embezzling

February 4, 2009

Review of Ciavarella orders set

February 4, 2009

Prothonotary Moran mum about resignation reports, link to judges

February 4, 2009

Courthouse arrests upset Hazleton area residents

February 4, 2009

Administrator’s charges add to courthouse stain

February 3, 2009

Lawyers: 2 judges to get more than ‘slap on wrist’

February 3, 2009

Pa. Supreme Court to review juvie cases

February 2, 2009

Muroski terminates medical leave of Court Administrator William Sharkey

February 2, 2009

Expert: Voters’ mood could prompt upsets

February 1, 2009

A long history of controversies

January 31, 2009

Sharkey status being reviewed

January 31, 2009

Petrilla, judge to work out budget cuts together

January 31, 2009

Dealer a guest at judges’ condo

January 31, 2009

Muroski promises new day

January 30, 2009

Kingston’s Tom O’Connor to run for county judge

January 30, 2009

President Judge election to be open to public

January 30, 2009

Hazleton law firm wants to use criminal info in appeal of case

January 30, 2009

Conahan resigns from DeNaples bank board

January 30, 2009

Powell may eat words about PA Child Care

January 30, 2009

Juvenile Law Center seeks broad review of Ciavarella’s cases

January 29, 2009

Powell’s yacht tied to condo linked to judges

January 29, 2009

Pa. court relieves judges of duties

January 29, 2009

More and more parents considering civil rights suits

January 29, 2009

Will gavel come down on Central Court?

January 29, 2009

County still uses youth detention center

January 29, 2009

No pension for ex-county worker

January 29, 2009

Judges may face forfeiture

January 28, 2009

Supreme Court suspends Ciavarella and Conahan; pleas set for Feb. 12

January 28, 2009

Embattled Conahan’s status on bank’s board of directors unknown

January 28, 2009

Dyller eyes potential lawsuits

January 28, 2009

Suspension sought for two judges

January 28, 2009

President judge vote on Friday

January 28, 2009

Urban: Conahan exceeded power

January 28, 2009

Judge seeks changes to post

January 28, 2009

Feds: At least $370,000 listed as nautical costs

January 27, 2009

Judges to vote for new president judge on Friday

January 27, 2009

Judicial Conduct Board to seek suspension of Judges Ciavarella/Conahan

January 27, 2009

Federal judge assigned to Conahan/Ciavarella case

January 27, 2009

Monday at a glance

January 27, 2009

Muroski vows to re-establish confidence

January 27, 2009

Legal advocate, parent: Judge let down youths

January 27, 2009

Muroski’s goal: Big changes for courts

January 27, 2009

Judge case will impact choice facing voters

January 27, 2009

Ciavarella’s lawyers file papers

January 27, 2009

Judge Musto: ‘Sad, vindicated’

January 27, 2009

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TIMELINE

January 27, 2009

Center critic praises probers

January 27, 2009

Spokesman: Judges likely to lose pensions

January 27, 2009

Feds: Judges used system to enrich selves

January 26, 2009

U.S. Attorney: Ciavarella, Conahan agree to serve 87 months in prison

January 26, 2009

Federal Authorities: Ciavarella, Conahan concealed $2.6 million

January 26, 2009

Acting Luzerne County president judge orders hiring, transfer freeze

January 26, 2009

Ciavarella calls county's reaction to lawsuit "inflammatory and irrelevant"

January 26, 2009

Ciavarella resigns as president judge

January 26, 2009

Background on federal probe

January 26, 2009

News conference set on public corruption investigation

January 26, 2009

Luzerne County Commissioners comment on alleged charges against county judges

January 26, 2009

Statement from Luzerne County judges

January 26, 2009

Update: Source says feds to announce charges against judges Conahan/Ciavarella

January 24, 2009

Clerk of Courts seeks to intervene in Ciavarella suit against commissioners

January 23, 2009

Ciavarella OKs new job for aide

January 22, 2009

Sources: Judges to be charged

January 22, 2009

Commissioners challenge judge’s personnel action

January 21, 2009

Race for trio of positions on county bench getting crowded

January 21, 2009

Musto eyes different judgeship

January 21, 2009

Three judge posts on ballot this year

January 15, 2009

Court denies request to reopen juvie cases

January 14, 2009

County may dispute pay scale

January 8, 2009

Court officer’s paid leave of absence 4 months long

January 7, 2009

County says judge drove up budget

January 7, 2009

Court official defends hires

January 7, 2009

Lokuta files appeal with state Supreme Court

January 6, 2009

Hirings in courts upsetting to Petrilla

January 1, 2009

Court refuses to revisit Lokuta ruling

December 24, 2008

Lokuta’s motion opposed

December 23, 2008

Motion for juveniles to be filed

December 20, 2008

Pa. association backs Petrilla

December 20, 2008

Lokuta files reconsideration request to Pa. conduct board

December 20, 2008

County responds to judge’s challenge

December 19, 2008

Judiciary gets layoff injunction

December 19, 2008

Philly law firm to defend two commissioners

December 18, 2008

Judges suing county over cuts

December 11, 2008

Appeal could slow replacing Lokuta

December 10, 2008

Judge’s staff given 2-weeks’ job notice

December 10, 2008

State court bans Lokuta from bench

December 9, 2008

Lokuta removed from bench

December 9, 2008

Sanctions hearing for Judge Lokuta begins today

December 9, 2008

Court likely to sue over budget cuts

December 7, 2008

Case against Judge Lokuta somewhat troubling Opinion Betty Roccograndi

December 4, 2008

Row officers plan huddle

December 3, 2008

Lokuta lawyer seeking 29 witnesses

November 21, 2008

Pa. court dismisses Lokuta’s objections

November 18, 2008

Lokuta alleges ‘double standard’

November 15, 2008

Judge goes to work on budget

November 12, 2008

Court defensive about psych-evaluation audit

November 9, 2008

Critics say court has problems

November 7, 2008

Lokuta’s staff still on payroll

November 6, 2008

Judicial board suspends Judge Lokuta

November 5, 2008

State Court suspends Judge Lokuta

November 4, 2008

Lokuta gets leave of absence

November 1, 2008

Lokuta’s duties not likely to change

October 31, 2008

Board: Lokuta violated ethics

August 1, 2008

Ciavarella defends sentence

July 8, 2008

Lokuta denied again

July 4, 2008

Lokuta files new motion in case

June 19, 2008

Ciavarella recuses self from Laputka firm motions

June 18, 2008

Ciavarella, Conahan not alone

June 14, 2008

Lokuta seeks case reopened

June 14, 2008

OPINION: Judge Ciavarella made real difference in students’ lives

June 4, 2008

Brief alleging Ciavarella-Powell link filed

June 3, 2008

First filing challenging juvie ruling to be heard

May 25, 2008

Sources: Judge off juvie bench

May 12, 2008

Mom joins critics of Ciavarella

April 26, 2008

Cops: Teen threatens Ciavarella

March 2, 2008

Lokuta case will take more time

February 16, 2008

Judge defends Guesto hiring

January 17, 2008

Testimony: Lokuta witness lied

January 17, 2008

Conahan refutes claims Lokuta made against him

January 16, 2008

Alleged probe details hazy

January 16, 2008

Records are used against Lokuta

January 16, 2008

Conahan staff costs to exceed $173,000

January 15, 2008

Lokuta gives account of encounters, incidents

January 15, 2008

Lokuta: FBI and I spoke on Conahan

January 14, 2008

Lokuta testimony to start up again