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No Shortage of Reaction to Charges Against Judges

No Shortage of Reaction to Charges Against Judges - Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 10:00PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- There’s no shortage of reaction to two Luzerne County judges charged with abusing their power. Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan are accused of using their position on the bench to steer kids to a juvenile detention facility. On February 12th the judges will make appear before a federal judge in Scranton for a formal court arraignment.

Today Eyewitness News spoke to a father who says his daughter was the victim of a crooked judge.

18-year-old Jessica from Mountain Top was one of dozens of teenagers sent to juvenile detention by Judge Mark Ciavarella. Her father, Jack Van Reeth, says she was a first time offender and non-violent.

He was told she would get probation. They got quite a surprise. “Going into the courtroom we were there for less than 90 seconds, at the end of which she was immediately put in shackles and taken off for 90 days to Camp Adams. We were speechless."

Judge Ciavarella and Judge Michael Conahan are charged with making money from their connection to the privately run, PA Child Care Center and taking kickbacks of more than $2 million dollars.

Jack says he knew something wasn't right from the beginning. "I want to remind him [the judge] words when he first ran for judge at the start of the political campaign. It's time for people to realize people who commit crimes will be punished," he said.

Meanwhile Civil Rights Advocate Attorney Barry Dyler is working with parents like Van Reeth into a possible lawsuit. "My initial concerns have little to do with being a lawyer and a lot to do with being a human being, a citizen. It's terrible that these children were treated as inventory and incarcerated because it was a money-making operation," he said.
 


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