Larry Hohol is the author of the new book, "The Luzerne County Railroad".  A story about  corruption in the American judicial system, the book will shake you to your core.  Each chapter will leave you amazed by the new depth of brazen greed and corruption.  If you think it couldn't get any worse, the next chapter will prove you wrong.

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Larry Hohol - Judicial Corruption Blog

Showing Tag: "ciavarella" (Show all posts)

Thousands of Court Cases Fixed in Luzerne County

Posted by Larry Hohol on Saturday, December 10, 2011, In : Current News 
I am trying to think back over the decades of how many civil and criminal cases have been fixed in Luzerne County. It is mind boggling. The Citizen's Voice caught a number of huge breaks here. Judge Ciavarella being found guilty of corruption is on the top of the list. Another break is that the Voice had deep enough pockets to continue on for almost a decade. The scariest part of all of this is the fact that NONE of the safety nets worked. The Appeals Court rubber stamped Ciavarella's origina...
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What the Penn State and Kids for Cash scandals have in common

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
From the November 11, 2011 The Legal Intelligencer, written by Hank Grezlak. My comment follows the article.

It's Open Season on Children in Pennsylvania

In light of the Penn State sex abuse scandal, Pennsylvania really needs to change its nickname from the Keystone State to the Child Abuser State.
The shameful moniker fits. After a decade that has already included the Archdiocese of Philadelphia priest sex abuse scandal and the Luzerne County judicial scandal featuring "kids-for-cash," how c...
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The Fat Lady isn’t even in the building yet

Posted by Larry Hohol on Sunday, August 14, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
Please go to the following link and read this article about a Ciavarella trial (kids for cash) juror's comments before you read my Blog.

The Times Leader - Juror: Sentence 'excessive'

Excellent, informative, well written article!  This article clearly outlines the major flaws with both the prosecution and handling of this case.  No one should believe that any of these problems were created by accident or mistake.  The US Attorney in charge and the Judge in this case are two of the most experie...
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“Kids for cash” cover-up, federal style?

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
I am convinced that there is a cover up of the entire "Kids for Cash" scandal taking place before our very eyes.  Think about it.  The US Attorney's Office “shocked the world” when they rested their case against Ciavarella without presenting a single exhibit or witness to support the "kids for cash" charges in the indictment.  NOTHING on the record, NOTHING! US Attorney Peter Smith then stated after the trial that 12 guilty verdicts out of 39 charges was a great victory and that Federal C...
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Ciavarella sentencing - my predictions

Posted by Larry Hohol on Sunday, August 7, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
Smoke and mirrors.  Don’t look at what Judge Kosik says, look at what he does.  The end result is the real, name of the game.  Here is my prediction.  Judge Kosik will sentence Ciavarella to a moderate to heavy jail sentence.  That will make the general public, who doesn’t know how the game is played, very happy.  Here is where it gets interesting.  I predict that Judge Kosik will then assign the heaviest jail time to the charges that Ciavarella has on appeal and very little time to the c...
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Judicial Conduct Board corruption needs to be exposed again!

Posted by Larry Hohol on Saturday, July 30, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
The proper thing would have been to offer new trials to all juveniles who requested one and let stand the convictions and guilty pleas of all who did not request a new trial. By doing so taxpayer money would NOT have been required for restitution.  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court was in such a hurry to cover up the inexcusable activity of the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board that justice or fairness never entered into the equation.  It was all about making this nightmare (exposure) go away ...
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Though convicted, corrupt officials not yet behind bars

Posted by Larry Hohol on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, In : Current News 
And the band plays on. Way back when Judge Kosik rejected Ex-Judge Conahan and Ciavarella’s plea deal there was dancing in the streets.  At that time I publicly voiced my concerns. I said Judge Kosik wasn't doing anyone a favor except for Conahan and Ciavarella by rejecting their pleas.  Once again I will voice my concerns and make a prediction or two.  My concerns are “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”.   There is nothing anyone can now do about the extremely slow turning of the wheel...
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The Whole Ciavarella Prosecution Reeks of Damage Control

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
I honestly believe that if Ciavarella doesn't have certain demands met, he has threatened to spill the beans on the whole corrupt system all the way to Harrisburg.  The damage control started when the US Attorney's Office didn't present ANY evidence to support the actual "Kids for Cash" charges that were included in Ciavarella's Indictment.  "Not guilty" on 27 of the 39 charges is not a victory for the prosecution by anyone’s standards.  Before Ciavarella’s trial began I publicly predicte...
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“Kids for Cash” - Things Just Don’t Add Up

Posted by Larry Hohol on Sunday, May 29, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
Just remember that Ciavarella has stated all along that the "Kids for Cash" scandal is a myth.  The way this case was prosecuted offers him "Proof" he may be right.  Not a single sentence, exhibit, or witness was presented during his trial to support any of the "Kids for Cash" charges thus he was found not guilty on 27 of 39 charges.  Something just doesn't add up.  Speaking of not adding up, when is Conahan going to be sentenced?  His whole plea deal was predicated on him testifying against ...
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Denies Judge Lokuta’s Motion for Sinister Reasons

Posted by Larry Hohol on Friday, April 1, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
I don’t want to live in a country that cuts off both arms of convicted pickpockets.  There is NO DOUBT that Judge Lokuta deserves some sort of discipline for her Judge Judy style of justice in her courtroom.  That being said, I am extremely uncomfortable with the highest profile witnesses against her being Felon Ex-Judges Conahan and Ciavarella.  Combine this with the Chairman of the Judicial Conduct Board being business partners with Conahan and the Chief Prosecutor against Judge Lokuta be...
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Investigation of Judicial Conduct Board is now REQUIRED

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
I am here to tell you that if the FBI hadn't come to town and arrested Ex-Judge Toole he would still be looking down his drunken nose from his lofty perch and corruptly judging us common folk.  There needs to be a full blown Grand Jury Investigation of the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board as far back as the law permits. I would also venture to say if not for the FBI, both Ex-Judges Conahan and Ciavarella would still be stuffing the kiddy prison full while they themselves living the lifesty...
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US Attorney Peter Smith’s decision will harm victims of the “Kids for Cash” scandal

Posted by Larry Hohol on Monday, March 7, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
US Attorney Peter Smith knew exactly what he was doing when he did not put a single piece of evidence into the trial of Ciavarella that created any official record of "Kids for Cash".  Tax Evasion, Racketeering, and Conspiracy YES. Kids for Cash"......NO!  I for one don't buy Smith’s explanation as to why he did what he did or in this case, what he didn’t do.

The Citizen's Voice - County: Scope of kids-for-cash kickback scheme is exaggerated
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Castille Should Step Down

Posted by Larry Hohol on Thursday, March 3, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
The Luzerne "Kids For Cash" Scandal.

What a pitiful charade.  Most people in Luzerne County know that if the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board did its job as required by its own rules Conahan and Ciavarella would have been stopped in their tracks 3 years and thousands of children before the FBI finally came into town and arrested the two judges.

Most also know if the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania did its job when an emergency “Kings Bench" petition was filed by a Philadelphia based Juvenile...
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ALL IS WELL! ALL IS WELL! Identical quotes from the Captain of HMS Titanic and US Attorney Peter Smith

Posted by Larry Hohol on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
I want to hear US Attorney Peter Smith tell us what a great victory it is after Ciavarella reverses 8 of his 12 guilty charges on appeal.  His own office will be the direct reason for the reversal.  The US Attorney who handled Mericle’s case stated in open court during Mericle’s plea that Mericle paid Ciavarella a finder’s fee and not a bribe.  He further went on to say that a finder’s fee is totally legal.  The very same US Attorney’s Office went on to convict Ciavarella of taking ...
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Ciavarella, “Kids for Cash” Trial Fixed?

Posted by Larry Hohol on Friday, February 18, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
There isn’t much that shocks me when it comes to case fixing in Luzerne County or anywhere else in Pennsylvania for that matter but what has happened in the Mark Ciavarella trial defies any “legitimate” explanation. Here is what I said in my Judicial Corruption Blog before this trial began:

"It appears that even the FBI and US Attorney’s Office did not want to open this can of worms."

A public trial of this magnitude has huge ramifications. It has the potential to not only expose massiv...
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SHOCK in the Courtroom

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
Ever wonder how and why corruption in Luzerne County could possibly have gotten as bad as it is?  All you have to do is look at how corruption is dealt with once it has been exposed.  The best and brightest U.S. Attorneys that the United States Government has to offer are botching the "kids for cash" Ciavarella case right before our very eyes.  Seasoned, highly paid prosecutors have sat on their hands to the point that the Judge has objected to statements made instead of them.  Now they have ...
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FedEx Boxes Stuffed With Cash To Bribe Luzerne County Judges

Posted by Larry Hohol on Friday, February 11, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
A FedEx box stuffed full of cash destined for Luzerne County Judges as bribes. It use to be plain white envelopes but since we stopped printing one thousand dollar bills it has now become necessary to use boxes for such transactions. When I think back at all of the far out and bizarre rulings that have come out of the Luzerne County Courthouse absolutely NOTHING surprises me.  More money has been stolen in Luzerne County with a briefcase and a gavel than ever with a gun. It is not only the ar...
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“Kids for Cash” Trial Ramifications Are Huge

Posted by Larry Hohol on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
It appears that even the FBI and US Attorney’s Office did not want to open this can of worms. Understaffing of both organizations is probably the reason. Both organizations appeared content with carving a few more notches in their proverbial briefcases and moving on. A public trial of this magnitude has huge ramifications. It has the potential to not only expose massive corruption that extends far beyond Luzerne County but more troubling massive cover up by sitting, “high profile” polit...
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Corrupt Judges Are Nothing More.....

Posted by Larry Hohol on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
There is a part of me that would love to make former Judge Ciavarella wear his Judge’s Robe while on trial. Without the robe he looks like Mr. Rogers. With the robe I would dare to say he would show the jury his true contempt for these proceedings. Kind of like a punk with a gun, without the gun he is just a punk. Without their robes, corrupt judges are nothing more.

Citizen's Voice - Former jailed juvenile hopes trial will bring justice
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I Am GLAD But Also EMBARRASSED....

Posted by Larry Hohol on Saturday, February 5, 2011, In : Thoughts about Judicial Corruption 
We are about to see the real inner workings of the Luzerne County Courthouse on center stage, exposed to the world. Countless Luzerne County citizens have been screaming from the rooftops about the corruption of those who wear black robes and judge us for decades. I have personally done so for over 20 years. This is not the story of a single rogue judge who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. This is the story of an entire system of corruption that spreads all the way to Harrisburg. I...
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An "Analysis Commission" Won't Prevent Another "Kids for Cash" Scandal

Posted by Larry Hohol on Thursday, February 3, 2011, In : Kids for Cash Scandal 
A Citizen's Voice article entitled Mundy reintroduces juvenile court legislation opens with:

"State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, has reintroduced legislation to allow the Juvenile Court Judges Commission to analyze court cases and trends in the system in response to the Luzerne County kids-for-cash scandal."

I believe this is not a Juvenile Justice problem at all. This problem existed and flourished in full view of the checks and balances that are in place to insure such things don't occur...
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Will Never Reverse Judge Lokuta Decision - Doing So Would Implicate the Supreme Court Itself

Posted by Larry Hohol on Monday, January 31, 2011, In : Current News 
Upwards of 40 Complaints filed against Conahan and Ciavarella and all were dismissed by the Judicial Conduct Board when in fact C&C admitted they were committing unspeakable felonies while on the bench. Most of the witnesses who testified against Judge Lokuta have been arrested, removed from office, or worked directly for those who have. The Chairman of the Judicial Conduct Board was business partners with Conahan. Attorney Dick Sprague who spearheaded the removal of Judge Lokuta while sittin...
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Were the proceedings to remove Judge Lokuta tainted?

Posted by Larry Hohol on Saturday, January 15, 2011, In : Current News 
Were the proceedings to remove Judge Lokuta tainted?  That is the real question here.  The Chairman of the Judicial Conduct Board was business partners in TWO businesses with the now indicted Judge Conahan.  Most of the 30 individuals that testified against Judge Lokuta worked directly for Conahan and Ciavarella and some of them have since also been indicted on corruption charges.  Upwards of 40 complaints had been filed against Conahan and Ciavarella prior to the Lokuta proceedings including...
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The Lynching of Judge Lokuta

Posted by Larry Hohol on Sunday, December 12, 2010, In : Current News 
Whether you love Judge Lokuta or you hate Judge Lokuta, what happened to her was a modern day lynching. I have no confidence that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will do the right thing here as they themselves are part of the problem. I believe the proceedings that removed her from the bench were tainted. No that's too politically correct. I believe that the proceedings that removed Judge Lokuta from the bench were fixed and fixed in a big, big way. I also believe that not only had Conahan ...
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A Special Judge/Attorney Relationship

Posted by Larry Hohol on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, In : Thoughts about Judicial Corruption 
This new Times-Leader newspaper article caught my attention!  Can anyone out there imagine going to trial knowing that the judge and opposing counsel have a very close SPECIAL relationship?  I am here to tell you that it happened ALL THE TIME in Luzerne County Court and the second anyone questioned these relationships they were pummeled.  After I formally questioned such a relationship former President Judge Patrick Toole responded to me in writing and I quote, "how dare you question the inte...
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