Skip Navigation

tag | kids for cash


Jailed kids-for-cash judge loses bid for pandemic release

Mark Ciavarella, a former Luzerne County juvenile court judge, had requested compassionate release from a federal lockup in Kentucky. The 70-year-old cited his age, his underlying medical conditions that put him at heightened risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

By The Associated Press

US Supreme Court again rejects former Luzerne County judge’s appeal

Mark Ciavarella Jr., 69, was convicted in 2011 of accepting bribes in exchange for ordering kids to a for-profit detention center for a wide range of relatively minor infractions. Sentenced to 28 years, he has denied wrongdoing.

By The Associated Press

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »


Luzerne County’s heartbreaking ‘Kids for Cash’ scandal becomes a musical

“Our goal is to illuminate the deeper corruption...of a justice system that is no longer concerned about the good for the community.”
By Peter Crimmins/WHYY