PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE MARK CIAVARELLA JR. SENTENCED TO ALMOST THREE DECADES IN JAIL FOR CONSPIRING WITH PRIVATE PRISONS TO TRADE KIDS FOR CASH.

 

ED Noor: The arrogance, the utter contempt this man shows towards the world even in the face of his crimes should be in itself enough to lock him away. 38 years is not nearly enough for what he has done to so many, especially if there is chance for parole. Possibly he believes that his Masonic brothers will still give him a pass for his crimes.

Chances are he will even be kept from the rest of the prison population for you can be sure they would not miss an opportunity to mete out a little street justice. Not to wish ill of anyone, I break my usual path and wish them well with their work. Imagine only 12 charges yet over 5000 victims! 

Now that the criminal aspect of the system has once again been exposed, would it not be a timely idea to dig around and find the members of the prison system who have been smart enough not to have been caught so far? Maybe even consider over-hauling the prison system entirely?  OOps, please pardon me for that brief flash of common sense.

Another tragedy has been reported in Pennsylvania's kids for cash scandal. Leaving court after his conviction, Judge Mark Ciavarella was confronted by the mother of one of his victims. Edward Kenzakoski was a champion athlete headed for a sure scholarship before being sentenced by judge Ciavarella. After his sentence, his life fell apart and he descended into depression and suicide. Using figures in the story, the judge's average take for Kenzakoski and others was $250. 

By Emily Smith

Intellihub.com
May 22, 2013

In the private prison industry, longer sentences earn more money from the state.

Since 2003, Ciavarella received millions of dollars in bribes for condemning minors to maximum prison sentences. In one case, Ciavarella sentenced a 10-year-old to two years in a detention facility for accidentally bottoming out his mother’s car.

According to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, over 5,000 young men and women were unjustly sentenced to prison and denied their constitutional rights. Many of them have now been released and cleared of their charges.



The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has overturned some 4,000 convictions issued by him between 2003 and 2008, claiming he violated the constitutional rights of the juveniles ~ including the right to legal counsel and the right to intelligently enter a plea. Some of the juveniles he sentenced were as young as 10-years old.

Ciavarella was convicted of 12 counts, including racketeering, money laundering, mail fraud and tax evasion. He was also ordered to repay $1.2 million in restitution.

His “kids for cash” program has revealed that corruption is indeed within the prison system, mostly driven by the growth in private prisons seeking profits by any means necessary.

Ciavarella, known for his harsh and autocratic courtroom manner, was convicted of racketeering, money laundering, mail fraud, and tax evasion. He was ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution.

“Unfortunately, two judges in Luzerne County have caused unimaginable taint to the laudable efforts of many dedicated individuals,” Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille said, “conduct for which those two judges presently are paying dearly,”

 

Ciaveralla’s attorneys requested a reasonable sentencing, arguing that the media attention brought to the case was punishment enough:

“He will forever be unjustly branded as the `Kids for Cash’ judge.”

ED Noor: "UNJUSTLY"!??????????????????? Now THAT is Netanyahu arrogance level chutzpah! Do the time for your unconscionable crime and stop whining. Media attention and suicides or ruined lives are hardly on par. 
 
Pennsylvania judge Michael Conahan was accused as a co-conspirator, but pleaded guilty on the charge. Since 2003, he collected more than $2 million from PA Child Care and Western PA Child Care detention centers.