Pocono News Section

Courthouse Begins Process of Moving On

Courthouse Begins Process of Moving On - Monday, January 26, 2009 at 9:10PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- With the resignation of Luzerne County President Judge Mark Ciavarella, the county now has a new Acting President Judge, Chester Muroski. He says he'll work to regain the public's trust.

Amid all the controversy Muroski says Luzerne County's judicial system hopes to rebound. "With fairness, trust in our conduct and our ability to make informed decisions without influence and without any other factors that would influence a judge," said Muroski Monday morning.

As a result of a federal investigation, Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan is also forced to resign. Court papers show Conahan and Ciaverella removed funding from the Luzerne County budget. County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla says, "It's an unfortunate day here in the county because we're just saddled with uncertainty."

Last year, judge Ciaverella filed a lawsuit against the county, saying the county was cutting the judicial budget too much. Petrilla says Judge Muroski will work with the county to resolve that lawsuit. "We only have so much have so much money to spend. And I think the fact that judge Muroski wants to sit down with us, wants to work with us, and that is our goal. To work together to have a balanced budget," said Petrilla.

Commissioner Stephen Urban also hopes for the best. He told Eyewitness News, "I believe that the matters that judge Ciaverella took were extreme, in my opinion they were an abuse of power. I think he filed the lawsuit against us without number one coming to the budget hearings and presenting his case to the three commissioners."

Judge Muroski will serve as President Judge temporarily. A vote by all Luzerne County judges will determine who will take that seat permanently.