Pocono News Section

Fourth Arrest in Courthouse Case

Fourth Arrest in Courthouse Case - Friday, February 20, 2009 at 8:18PM EST

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -

Sandy Brulo is a powerbroker in Luzerne County court. Tonight she is an accused felon. Eyewitness News is told she tampered with public records.

Sandy Brulo says nothing and stares straight ahead as she walked with her lawyer out of federal court in Wilkes-Barre . In fact, some say she looks "glazed over". The 56 year old was the deputy director of forensic programs in the juvenile probation office. She was there for 26 years.

This is where Brulo worked inside Penn Place office building, basically a courthouse annex. Investigators say she changed public records involving at least one juvenile case from February 1st to the 20th. Today this comes as civil suits are being filed against the county involving juvenile cases.

Brulo's office worked closely with former President Judge Mark Ciavarella when he handed down punishment. Ciavarella is accused of sending teenagers to a private detention facility, in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks. This was a kids’ for cash scheme.

Federal agents say she altered a juvenile record with the intent to impair its integrity for use in federal proceedings. She faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 dollar fine. She is the fourth Luzerne County official charged by the U. S. attorney's office, including judges Civarella, Conahan and former court administrator William Sharkey.

For taxpayers, it's almost too much to believe. Jim Swafford, a taxpayer says, "It makes you wonder if the judicial system is completely broken or not because a lot of people got hurt for money. It shouldn't be that way." Tabitha Swafford, another taxpayer says, "I feel bad for the familiy’s kids that were sent there. It wasn't necessary to go there. They had to go through hard times and it just wasn't necessary for them."

Judge Chester Muroski suspended Brulo without pay. She is free on her own recognizance. She will have a hearing on March 20th at federal court in Wilkes-Barre .