The Fallout from Luzerne County's Judicial Scandal

Has anybody else noticed that just about every day there is a new story in the paper about somebody challenging a disgraced judge's rulings? It seems it isn't just juvie cases and under insured insurance scams but even property disputes.

The plaintiffs and defendants are coming out of the woodwork and they all want a piece of Luzerne County. I wonder how we are going to pay for all the inevitable judgements. I think before this all comes out in the wash that we are talking about millions of dollars. The county is already deeply in debt (thanks Greg and Todd). What will they do, start selling county owned properties to raise money?

The reality is that I really don't think every ruling that Conahan and Ciavarella made was dirty. The only ones that are coated in slime are the decisions that were influenced by on of the three Bobs or were flat out paid for.

Are you ready for a Mericle?

Just imagine, you buy a house for $280k. It was built in 1985. You own it for a couple years and the home gets reassessed for $390k. You successfully appeal that down to $234k when the appeals board decides your home is much smaller than they thought and that it is 10 years older than they thought. That would be great, wouldn't it?

It doesn't end there though. You put the house back on the market for $400k right after you win the appeal.

This probably would sound fishy no matter who owned this house. What makes it smell worse than Barney Frank on a hot summer day is who sold the house to this lucky man and who this lucky home owner is.

Indictments are coming

I heard through the grapevine that there will be indictments of two local judges. Can you guess which two?

Guesto and Ciavarella

The formerly honorable Judge Ciavarella actually claimed in todays Times Leader that Guesto was the most qualified for the job. I say bulldookey. He certainly was the most connected man for the job. Already, other applicants have come forward, and according to their claimed credentials, are far more qualified. Come on skooch (sp?), at least have the guts to say why he really got the job.

Luzerne County, Home of the Despot

Can anyone actually believe the friggin unmitigated gall of the powers that be in the courthouse? It isn't just the commissioners but the judges too. What must Guesto have on all of them that they are willing to committ political suicide by giving him another job? Judge Ciavarella, say goodbye to being a judge. You will not be able to "skooch" your way out when it comes time for retention.

I rarely agree with anything Corbett has to say but I sincerely hope he keeps his word and continues to hammer these politicians. They say people in this county have a coal cracker mentality. I say it is time to prove them wrong. I say we vote out all incumbent county seats. I say the new administration goes through every employee's file. If they got their job through connections, so sad, too bad, you're fired!!! It is time to stop the corruption. It is time to stop the cronyism. It is time to elect leaders that not only listen to the people but actually follow the will of the people. If the new crop follows this current crop, boom, out they go. I say we repeat the process until we get good leadership in all county offices. By good, I mean moral, ethical, and honest. I think a provision of law needs to put in place that we can impeach any county officeholder and have them removed!! I think the law should state that they be replaced by the people voting not appointed by a shitheel governor.