I just picked up a new book, “The Racketeer,” by John Grisham.
No, it’s not about former Luzerne County judges, Michael Conahan or Mark Ciavarella. But they came to mind because a day later, pictured on the front pages of both of our local newspapers was the former judges’ sugar daddy, Robert Mericle. He was smiling on The Times Leader’s front page. On the Citizens’ Voice’s, he looked like he was about to stick out his tongue.
Anyway, Grisham begins his novel with a definition: ”rack-e-teer. one who obtains money illegally as by fraud, extortion, etc.”
Okay, we know that surely describes Conahan and Ciavarella, and they’re now in prison for it. But what about the person who offered up that money? That would be local tycoon Mericle.
Frankly, I never quite understood how such a key player in the infamous “Kids for Cash” corruption ring was simply charged with failure to report a crime. Had Mericle not dangled an initial $1 million, with more to come, in front of two very eager, money-hungry judges, would KFC ever have happened? Mericle said he simply paid the judge/real estate broker a finder’s fee. For what? Does anyone really believe that Mericle needed Ciavarella’s help getting an intro to Robert Powell, a lawyer who decided to build a juvenile detention center and had the good fortune to know a county judge who single-handedly closed the county-owned one?
And, remember, that in addition to Conahan, who got the ball rolling, Mericle also had quite a bit of help along the way from former majority county commissioners, Greg Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid, who gave the house that Mericle built an unprecedented 20-year, $58 million lease.
Hopefully, they at least got a bottle of expensive wine for their contributions. Mericle’s not shy about taking care of those who take care of him. Ask former state Sen. Ray Musto, who is also ending his long career in disgrace for playing nice with Mericle.
Now, poor Mr. Mericle is $17.75 million poorer because that’s the amount he voluntarily settled on to make his legal woes go away. The deal was outlined in Tuesday’s papers.
After some lawyers, dare we say ambulance chasers, put out the call, 2,000 juvies and their parents signed up for a piece of the luscious Mericle pie. For their combined efforts, which one said involved 3,500 hours or work, the lawyers will divvy up $3.6 million. That’s a lot of hours. Imagine if Attorney Angela Stevens was involved here. Remember her? She of the creative double billings.
What’s interesting is that 106 juveniles will collect a minimum $500 reward for not being victims at all. They weren’t even detained at the Kids for Cash prison. They were put on probation. Some of the others were sent elsewhere, yet they’ll get $1,000, The TL reported.
Why are these “kids,” who apparently didn’t end up in court because they sold too many Girl Scout cookies, being rewarded for bad behavior at all? And how is this even “Kids for Cash?” Because the lawyers said so and saw fit to budget $820,000 for the delinquents’ pain and suffering?
This deal appears to be a win-win all the way around, except for Attorney Bernard Schneider, who represents the owner of the two juvenile detention facilities Mericle built.
Schneider said the settlement will make it difficult for him to defend his own clients against any lawsuits the juveniles and their parents may ultimately file.
Well, that’s too bad, Bernie. Money talks. Ask Robert Mericle how the game’s played.
- Betty Roccograndi
Interesting as usual. Could not agree more with, “what about the person(s) who offered up bribes?” Although your dealing with Mericle there are many more contractors, teachers, board members and administrators who “paid to play.” The active teachers and administrators who are responsible for the education of our children bother me the most. Another concern is there are many that know what school employees paid for their positions and remain silent; are they not guilty also of not reporting a crime? b Your point on the children who are receiving the $500 who were put only on probation is well taken. My concern after 30 years in public education and five years with the PA Department of Corrections, is that some of the 2,000 juveniles did some really serious deeds and deserved to be locked up; no doubt all deserve representation; but do they deserve to be paid? Guess there are no easy answers.
Another million dollar “donor”, Bill Haas, couldn’t take the heat. His family is moving to North Carolina… all 13 of them (whatever the number is). Perhaps they found out who Leighton and JJ Murphy really were. I can remember them singing the praises of good ole’ JJ. I wonder what they thought when JJ was paying himself through his brother’s Philly law firm.
Think how invincible Leighton must have felt. The city/chamber got $1.61 million from the Haas’s (all verified)… and he gave the towing contract to DeNaple’s son-in-law.
My how things change. Justice tends to rise to the top.
Sorry, DUIboy, I do not publish, and thus perpetuate, potentially libelous statements.
Betty,
I did not expect anything different. I am sure your big fan Mark Robbins will not disclose his “record.” His smear tactics are terrible.
On a separate note, I like that Lawton is keeping stuff from some of his big mouth council. I was there last night and these guys are brutal.
I like that about Lawton too. Good for you for attending the meeting.
Betty
Since I am accused of having a “record”… I will briefly defend myself’
One DUI 29 years ago in college
Other trafiic infractions spread out over 30 years…
NO Summary Offenses
NO Misdemeanors
NO Felonies
No crimes committed
Never spent a day in jail
Leo Glodzik hired (Prestige Security Specialists) from Pittston to do a background check on me
Glodzik at at a council meeting said I have 5 dui’s. I would have been put away for years!
I haven’t had a drink in 26 years. It is laughable.
I already called this guy and told him I was suing for slander. Either he was investigating the wrong guy or was making this up.
If this person wants to go after me with phony info then I will sue for slander as well.
NO Summary Offenses
NO Misdemeanors
NO Felonies
No crimes committed
Never spent a day in jail
And you don’t drink! Mark, a dull life? Just kidding Mark, I may not always agree with you but I respect your beliefs and willingness to help people. When I was in Oklahoma I had a similar experience with one of my high school principals, a teacher who he reprimanded did a computer search on him. Like you he had a fairly common name and basically had the same error report on him. If DUIBOY does not publically apologize I would consider legal action. Have a great day.
Thank you
How about continuing your battle with Mark on his site, not mine. It really doesn’t belong here. Thanks.