A corrupt former Pennsylvania judge convicted of funneling juveniles to a for-profit detention center in exchange for $2.1 million in kickbacks had his lengthy prison sentence commuted Thursday by President Biden.
Former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan, the central figure in the so-called “kids for cash” scandal, was one of the 1,499 commutations the 82-year-old lame-duck president granted in the 1999 clemency law, the largest in presidential history. Ta. The White House says it's just one day in modern history.
The mother of a victim of Conahan's disturbing crimes was furious when she heard of his reduced sentence.
“I am shocked and hurt,” Sandy Fonzo, whose son committed suicide after being locked up as part of a scheme orchestrated by Mr. Conahan and former judge Mark Ciavarella, said in a statement.
“Conaghan's actions have destroyed families, including mine. My son's death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power,” she added. citizen's voice. “This amnesty feels unfair to all of us who are still suffering.”
“Right now, I'm dealing with the recurrence of this pain and doing the best I can.”
Mr. Conahan, 72, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison in 2011 after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy for his role in the scheme.
He was released from home confinement in Florida in June 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time of Conahan's sentencing, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Explained the judicial scandal as “the worst in Pennsylvania history.”
over 2,500 children Investigators believe Mr. Conahan and Mr. Ciavarella may have given him unfair sentences between 2003 and 2008 in order to pay him kickbacks and place him in private detention centers.
In response to the scandal, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has vacated thousands of juvenile sentences.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement about the massive cuts. “I have the great honor of providing mercy to those who have shown remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunities for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities.”
“We will take further steps in the coming weeks. My administration will continue to review clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law.”
