Pocono News Section

Corruption at the Courthouse: Ciavarella Fires Back

Corruption at the Courthouse: Ciavarella Fires Back - Monday, February 9, 2009 at 6:30PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- An embattled Luzerne County judge fires back about allegations he made improper court decisions. Judge Mark Ciavarella is heading to prison on federal fraud charges. Now Ciavarella says he wants to set the record straight.
Judge Mark Ciavarella admits he disgraced his judgeship and he blames himself. But he says he will not stand by and let misinformation be put out about policy decisions he made while president judge.

We obtained a copy of a two page letter sent by Judge Mark Ciavarella to President Judge Chester Muroski. It challenges some of the statements that have come out of the courthouse since Ciavarella and Judge Michael Conahan were charged by federal prosecutors.

Ciavarella claims he never made decisions without other judges knowing about it. That includes the lawsuit against the county commissioners involving budget cutbacks in the court system. That lawsuit was withdrawn last Friday by Judge Muroski.

Judge Ciavarella especially takes issue with claims that he changed the sentences of inmates without the knowledge of the original sentencing judges. Some of those involved were supposedly violent criminals.

Judge Olszewski raised concerns for public safety in that probation program, that he and other judges called ‘secret.’ "I have serious concerns about violent felons being released form prison prior to their sentenced being served," he told Eyewitness News.

Judge Muroski also released a statement saying he will not publicly debate Ciavarella, but he and the other judges are working to restore the public trust in the court.

Nowhere in that letter does Ciavarella talk about decisions he made as the head of juvenile court. Those decisions got him into big trouble. The feds say he and Judge Michael Conahan took kickbacks and sent kids to detention, when they should not have been sent away.

Ciavarella and Conahan will appear in federal court this Thursday for formal arraignment.