Lycoming News

State Representative Jamie Flick of Pennsylvania has expressed disappointment over President Joe Biden's recent decision to commute the prison sentence of former Luzerne County judge Michael Conahan. This action was part of a larger initiative that included more than 1,500 other individuals.

Conahan, along with Mark Ciavarella, was found guilty in 2010 for their roles in the "kids-for-cash" scheme. They were convicted of receiving $2.8 million in kickbacks for funneling juveniles to for-profit detention centers. The scandal involved thousands of minors and led to significant reforms in the juvenile justice system after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned over 4,000 convictions.

“When crimes involve kids, I get really angry,” said Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union). He criticized the judicial system for allowing Conahan to remain on house arrest during the pandemic rather than returning him to prison once health concerns subsided.

Conahan had been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison but was released to home confinement in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. With 20 months left on his sentence, he benefited from Biden's clemency initiative aimed at those who have reintegrated into society after home confinement.

Flick remarked, “I’m upset that he was not sent back to prison after COVID concerns eased." He also suggested scrutiny over campaign donations related to Conahan’s case: “It would be interesting to follow the money in this case, both for the lawyers who advocated on Conahan’s behalf, and family and friends’ campaign donations.”

Meanwhile, Ciavarella continues serving a 28-year sentence in North Carolina for implementing policies that ensured high occupancy rates at private facilities.

The decision follows a federal judge's earlier denial of a request for clemency based on the harm caused by Conahan's actions.