Former Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. has joined his co-defendant, former Judge Michael T. Conahan, in awaiting sentencing after a federal judge denied his post-trial motions late last month.But white-collar defense attorneys and former federal judges not involved in the case said Conahan and Ciavarella could end up receiving very different sentences.
In February, a federal jury in Scranton found Ciavarella guilty of 12 of 39 counts of corruption filed against him, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, honest services mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy and a host of tax fraud charges. Ciavarella was cleared of extortion, bribery and honest services wire fraud charges, however.
Conahan pleaded guilty to one racketeering charge in April 2010.
Stephen S. Stallings, chair of Pittsburgh-based Burns White's white-collar criminal defense group, said the sentencing guidelines for Ciavarella are likely to be significantly higher than those for Conahan, and not just because he was found guilty of more crimes than Conahan pleaded to.
Stallings said the nature of Ciavarella's crimes, including that he was a public official, would initially set the bar high, while a number of potential enhancements under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines could then raise the sentencing levels further
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Ciavarella and Conahan May Face Very Different Sentences
These are real sick perps, putting kids in juvenile facilities just for the money.
ReplyDeletehang em....
ReplyDeleteWith hope, this is a caveat for all judges who usurp the rights of vulnerable people for profit. Amazing story, shocking activities, justified punishment for the most unfit members of an elite profession, pointing out judiciary reforms needed.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, they are two peas in a pod.
ReplyDeleteHang 'em HIGH!
ReplyDeleteThese two judges, and many other officials, are guilty of many more crimes. Where is the FBI? The agency was supposed to "clean house" in Luzerne County.
ReplyDelete