Pocono News Section

Feds Looking at How Pittston Twp. Became Home to PA Child Care

Feds Looking at How Pittston Twp. Became Home to PA Child Care - Friday, June 19, 2009 at 7:21PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Friday, Jun 19, 2009 @ 07:21pm EST
PITTSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- In an I-Team exclusive and another story you'll only see on Eyewitness News. The federal corruption probe in Luzerne County, which has resulted in at least 9 arrests, has taken another twist. The F. B.I. is now investigating a local township.

The ongoing federal corruption probe began with and has largely focused on the PA Child Care juvenile center in Pittston Township, namely millions of dollars in kickbacks paid to former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan.

Both pleaded guilty in a "Kids for CashÓ scheme, with Ciavarella getting paid off to make sure juvenile offenders, even those with very minor offenses, were sent to the facility. Conahan was allegedly being paid to make sure the county-run facility was closed down.

All of this paved the way for the construction and successful operation of PA Child Care in 2003. Part-owner attorney Bob Powell admits to paying some of these kickbacks. He says he was strong-armed by the judges.

Now the I-Team has learned the F. B.I. is taking a closer look at the planning stages of the center. Sources in the township tell us the feds have questions about the early days in the zoning and permitting process. Was there influence or money paid out to make sure it was built in the township, and not elsewhere in Luzerne County.