Pocono News Section

Conahan/Mafia Ties

Conahan/Mafia Ties - Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 12:07PM EST

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -
It all has to do with a series of reports the Citizens Voice Newspaper did in 2001. It claims Conahan had breakfast at least twice a month with D'elia. According to the paper, it was to make sure D'elia's friend, a Mountain Top business man, won a defamation suit against the paper. The Citizens Voice wants the State Supreme court to throw out the 3.5 million dollar verdict.

And for the first time we're hearing from the remaining judges. Field anchor Andy Mehalshick has more on this unprecedented event. It has never been done before in local broadcast journalism, a sit down interview with the "court en banc". Six of the remaining eight judges agreed to sit down with Andy Mehalshick to talk about the dark cloud that hangs over the courthouse. This comes as four high ranking Luzerne County officials face federal charges. This includes two of their former colleagues, suspended Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan. They admit to taking millions of dollars in kickbacks in a “Kids for cash scheme” in connection with a juvenile detention facility. These judges told Andy they feel betrayed.

Judge Joseph Augello, of Luzerne County says, "First of all I was shocked by the sheer breadth of the allegations. But I was more concerned that the pubic would now distrust everyone in public office. They mistrust public officials to begin with and the trust in the court would take a big hit."

The judges say they hope this interview will be a step in regaining the public trust in the legal system.

Andy's entire interview will air Thursday at 5:30 on WBRE TV.