Powell Testifies in Ciavarella Trial, Describes Alleged Extortion Scheme
The Legal Intelligencer
February 10, 2011
When Robert Powell showed up at Mark Ciavarella's judicial chambers in the fall of 2003, he was met with news that surprised him. Full Text
Ciavarella's Federal Racketeering Trial Begins in Scranton
The Legal Intelligencer
February 9, 2011
Former Luzerne County Common Pleas Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. leaned back in his chair with his hand on his chin during opening arguments of his federal racketeering trial Tuesday, listening as the prosecution told the jury that he and former Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Conahan had "turned the court of common pleas into a criminal enterprise." Full Text
As Trial Approaches, Echoes of Ciavarella's Trip to the Stand
The Legal Intelligencer
February 8, 2011
The last time Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. sat in a courtroom witness chair was July 2009. Full Text
Justices' Refusal to Grant Retrial to Lokuta Further Weakens Suspect System
The Legal Intelligencer
January 25, 2011
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to deny former Luzerne County Judge Ann H. Lokuta a new disciplinary trial is a serious injustice that undermines people's faith in the integrity of the state's judicial system. Full Text
Justices Uphold Lokuta's Removal From Judicial Post
The Legal Intelligencer
January 16, 2011
The state Supreme Court has affirmed former Luzerne County Judge Ann H. Lokuta's removal from the bench, seemingly bringing to an end a protracted saga involving allegations of prejudice, selective prosecution and judicial conflicts of interest. Full Text
Superior Ct. Vacates $3.4 Mil. Verdict Overseen by Ciavarella
The Legal Intelligencer
December 23, 2010
A state Superior Court panel has vacated a $3.4 million legal malpractice award overseen by former Luzerne County Common Pleas Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. because of his ties to one of the lawyers in the case. Full Text
Luzerne Co. Defamation Suit Set to Go a Second Round
The Legal Intelligencer
Decembe r 21, 2010
A Luzerne County businessman may continue his defamation suit against a local newspaper on allegations that it falsely tied him to mob activity and a federal investigation, a common pleas judge there has ruled. Full Text
'Kids for Cash' Defendants Turn Attention to Latest Suit
The Legal Intelligencer
November 23, 2010
Led by a memorandum of law filed by the defendants in the civil "kids for cash" suit with direct ties to Luzerne County government, several individuals in the case have filed motions to dismiss an amended complaint filed by one class of plaintiffs earlier this fall. Full Text
Toole, Former Luzerne Co. Judge, Reaches New Plea Deal
The Legal Intelligencer
October 8, 2010
Federal prosecutors have reached a second plea agreement with a former Luzerne County judge who admitted in December to fixing the appointment of a neutral arbitrator for a UM/UIM case in exchange for use of a New Jersey beach house. Full Text
