Episode 12: Patient Zero

Tina and Hillary cover former President Judge of the Luzerne County Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Mark Ciavarella and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

Tina's Story
Mark Ciavarella served as judge for the Court of Common Pleas since 1995 where he developed a reputation for his harsh sentencing. But, when the FBI gets tipped off about accusations of nepotism and questionable sentencing of children, Ciavarella’s secret role in an alleged kids for cash scheme is revealed.

Hillary's Story
Throughout his political career, Newt Gingrich was known for his partisan battles that wreaked havoc in Congress. But, when he became Speaker of the House in 1995, he paved the way for the damaging slash and burn politics common today.

Tina's Sources
Wikimedia
Mark Ciavarella
Wilkes Barre
Michael Conahan
Kids for cash scandal

New York Times
“Suit Names 2 Judges Accused in a Kickback Case”--Ian Urbina
“Despite Red Flags About Judges, a Kickback Scheme Flourished”--Ian Urbina
Leaked State Audit--Bureau of Financial Operations, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, via New York Times
“Former Judge Is on Trial in ‘Cash for Kids’ Scheme”--JON HURDLE and SABRINA TAVERNISE

NPR
“Pa. Judge Sentenced To 28 Years In Massive Juvenile Justice Bribery Scandal”--Eyder Peralta

Pocono Record
“US Supreme Court again rejects former judge’s appeal”--Associated Press

Citizens’ Voice
“Feds decline to retry Ciavarella for racketeering”--James Halpin
ABC 16 WNEP: The News Station
“Some Convictions Against Former Judge Ciavarella Vacated”--Dave Bohman

All That’s Interesting
“Kids For Cash: When Judges Took Bribes To Dish Out Harsh Sentences To Juvenile Offenders”--Gina Dimuro

New York Post
“Corrupt ‘Kids for Cash’ judge ruined more than 2,000 lives”--Larry Getlen

Reuters (ROY-ters)
“Former judge sentenced to prison for ‘kids for cash’ scheme”--Dave Warner

Case Law
United States Court of Appeals,Third Circuit. UNITED STATES of America v. Mark CIAVARELLA, Jr., Appellant.

Washington Post
“Pa. judges accused of jailing kids for cash”--MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARYCLAIRE DALE

League of Women Voters
“Privatization of Prisons”--Ted Volskay

Juvenile Justice
“A Plot with a Scandal: A Closer Look at ‘Kids for Cash’ Documentary”