Pocono News Section

Was Judge Musto an Innocent Victim of Corruption Scandal?

Was Judge Musto an Innocent Victim of Corruption Scandal? - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 5:00PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Did the Luzerne County corruption scandal cost a judge his seat on the bench? It's the question many people are asking as Judge Jospeh Musto was defeated in his attempt to retain his judgeship. Now we hear from the judge himself.
There's some speculation the ongoing scandal at the courthouse could bring down other officials. Some think Judge Joseph Musto is the first casualty.

That concern was expressed by other judges when this investigation broke, when two fellow judges, Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella, admitted to taking bribes in a kids for cash scheme.

Eyewitness News spoke to Judge Musto, who came up short in Tuesday’s primary. He's not convinced that he was an innocent victim of this scandal.

Judge Joseph Musto believes that voters knew what he was all about, and that the corruption scandal was not the reason he lost the election.

He had expressed the concern during our special "You Be The Judge” report back in March, when we spoke to the remaining judges about the investigation. "I think it's very unfair to brush everybody with the same brush because I think in that fashion some good people are going to be swept aside," Musto said back then.

Wednesday Musto said, “I sincerely believe it was not the reason why. I worked hard to get my message across that I was part of the solution. I’ve only been there since October. I got my message out that I was trying to do the right thing, restore confidence in myself and others on the court. I worked hard out there."

Judge Musto says he is not bitter. He gives alot of credit to the candidates who came out on top. "It was so gratifying to see my supporters, not only my volunteers but people throughout the county who appreciated my message. We had a problem in Luzerne County. Our court system was shaken to its core. I was part of the solution," added Musto.

Ironically, Musto was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Judge Michael Conahan when he suddenly retired last year. That retirement came as the F. B.I. was closing in on Conahan.