“I am shocked and I am hurt. Conahan’s actions destroyed families, including mine, and my son’s death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power. This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer.”
Seems like a great guy. pic.twitter.com/MQhUXaJrcn
— Misha Turtle Island TV: X Society Xperience 🐢🐰𝕏 (@MishaTurtleX) December 13, 2024
This is messed up! President Joe Biden is facing intense backlash for commuting the sentence of Michael Conahan, a former judge involved in the notorious ‘Kids-for-Cash’ scandal. Conahan, along with fellow judge Mark Ciavarella, was convicted of accepting $2.1 million in kickbacks in exchange for sentencing thousands of juveniles to privately run detention centers. This scandal, which rocked the nation, saw children as young as eight being sent to detention for minor infractions like petty theft and truancy.
Conahan was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison in 2011 after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was released to home confinement under federal supervision. Now, Biden has commuted his sentence, sparking outrage among the victims and their families. Sandy Fonzo, whose son died by suicide after being placed in juvenile detention by Ciavarella, described Biden’s decision as “deeply painful” and a “slap in the face” to those who suffered due to Conahan’s actions.
The impact of this decision is profound. The ‘Kids-for-Cash’ scandal is considered one of the biggest courtroom frauds in U.S. history. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out some 4,000 juvenile convictions involving more than 2,300 kids after the scheme was uncovered. The commutation of Conahan’s sentence has reignited the pain and trauma experienced by the victims and their families, who feel that justice has not been served.
The most shocking detail is the sheer number of children affected by this scandal. Many of these children were first-time offenders who were given disproportionately harsh sentences for minor infractions. The psychological and emotional toll on these children and their families is immeasurable. Amanda Lorah, who was detained for nearly five years in a juvenile detention facility, condemned Biden’s move, stating that it feels like “a big slap in the face” to the victims who have not received the same level of justice.
Sources:
https://www.mcall.com/2024/12/12/biden-commutes-sentence-for-kids-for-cash-judge/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/kids-cash-judges-sentence-commuted-031313603.html
https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-commute-kids-cash-judge-michael-conahan-2000237
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