Michael Conahan | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Judge |
| Criminal charge(s) | Money laundering, fraud and racketeering |
| Criminal penalty | 17.5 years and $874,000 |
| Criminal status | Federal inmate #15009-067 Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman Low |
Michael Conahan is a former judge from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania who committed the "Kids for cash" scandal in 2008[1] with fellow judge Mark Ciavarella.
Conahan, as president judge, used his budgetary discretion to stop funding the county public youth detention facility[2] and agreed to send teens instead to a new private facility. He is accused of agreeing to generate at least $1.3 million per year in costs that could be billed to taxpayers in exchange for kickbacks. He originally pleaded guilty to charges, but later withdrew his plea.[3] Afterward, he was indicted along with Ciavarella on charges of money laundering, fraud and racketeering.[4] He eventually plead guilty again, and on September 23, 2011, he was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison and ordered to pay $874,000 in restitution. [5]
Biography
Conahan was born April 21, 1952 in Hazleton. He attended Temple University, where he received his law degree. He served from 1994-2008 as Judge on the Court of Common Pleas and in January 2008 became president judge of Luzerne County.[6]
References
- ↑ Frank, Thomas (April 1, 2009). "Thomas Frank Says 'Kids for Cash' Incentivizes the Prison Industry". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
- ↑ "Judge Mark Ciavarella and Judge Michael Conahan". People You'll See in Hell. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ↑ Janoski, Dave (August 24,
2009). "Ciavarella, Conahan withdraw guilty pleas". citizensvoice.com. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); line feed character in|date=at position 11 (help) - ↑ "United States of America v Mark Ciavarella Jr and Michael Conahan". The United States Attorney's Office. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ↑ "Former Luzerne judge Conahan sentenced to 17.5 years". thetimes-tribume.com. September 23, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ↑ "Michael Conahan". mahalo.com. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
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- People convicted of racketeering
- Temple University alumni
- Temple University Beasley School of Law alumni
