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Pocono News Section
Judicial Debate: Squaring Off On Veins of Corruption
Judicial Debate: Squaring Off On Veins of Corruption - Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:45PM EST
Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 @ 11:45pm EDT
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Three judicial candidates and two judges running for retention talked about building a system to avoid the sins of the past. Compared to the duping of investors by swindler Bernard Madoff, Judge Peter Paul Olszewski said sternly "I can tell you in no uncertain terms, that we did not know what these guys (Conahan and Ciavarella) were doing. The judges who had an inkling went to the FBI. And thank God they did."
Ex-corrupt Judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella wielded a powerful influence over an entire judicial system. The pair has been linked to case fixing, rampant conflicts of interest and nepotism. Records show the former judges stuffed the courthouse with family and political cronies. Those in power are left to address the mess, if they choose. Olszewski points to a twice-recommended anti-nepotism policy he proposed; it was never enacted. "I can tell you at two separate meetings of the court en banc, I have proposed a strong anti-nepotism policy to govern court administration," Olszewski said. Judge Thomas Burke said of the strong influence over hiring by Conahan and Ciavarella, "I dare say it will get the full attention of the court en banc come January."
Judicial Candidates RIchard Hughes, Tina Polachek Gartley and William Amesbury each described their would-be efforts to restore faith in the courthouse. It will be "case by case," as one candidate put it. | | |
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