Former corrupt judge of Pennsylvania President Biden on Thursday commuted the lengthy prison sentence of a man convicted of sending teenagers to for-profit detention facilities in exchange for $2.1 million in bribes.
Former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan, the jurist at the center of the so-called “kids-for-cash” scandal, was one of them. 82 year old lame president provided 1,499 deficiencies According to the White House, it is the largest single-day presidential pardon in modern history.
The mother of a victim of Conahan’s disturbing crimes was furious after hearing his sentence would be reduced.
“I am shocked and I am hurt,” Sandy Fonzo, whose son committed suicide after being locked up as part of a scheme orchestrated by Conahan and former Judge Mark Ciavarella, said in a statement.
“Conahan’s actions destroyed many families, including my own, and my son’s death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power,” she said. citizen’s voice“This pardon feels like an injustice to all of us who are still suffering.”
“Right now I’m processing and doing my best to deal with the pain that it’s brought back.”
Conahan, 72, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in the scheme and was sentenced to 17½ years in prison in 2011.
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 judicial scandal described “The worst in Pennsylvania history.”
more than 2,500 children Investigators believe that potentially disproportionate sentences were imposed by Conahan and Ciavarella between 2003 and 2008 in order to populate private detention centers with bribes.
In the wake of the scandal, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had canceled the sentences of thousands of juveniles.
“America was built on possibility and the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement on mass migration. “I have had the great privilege of serving individuals who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring the opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities.”
“I will take further steps in the coming weeks. My administration will continue to review clemency petitions to pursue equal justice under the law.
(TagstoTranslate)Politics(T)US News(T)Corruption(T)Courts(T)Joe Biden(T)Judges(T)Pardons(T)Pennsylvania(T)White House
