Pugh Denounces Clemency for ‘Kids-for-Cash’ Judge, Calls on Mayor and Scranton Council Members to Remove the Name for ‘President Joe Biden Expressway’

December 23, 2024

DALLAS –Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) today condemned President Joe Biden and his administration for granting clemency to the dishonorable former Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan.

“Conahan’s conduct is forever a blight on Pennsylvania and is a slap in the face to the victims and their families who deserve justice to be served for his atrocious crimes. His clemency places complicity and a stamp of approval on his behavior,” Pugh said. “Children are among the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. This decision is nothing short of a travesty and his clemency is a miscarriage of justice. 

“I call on the mayor and council members of the City of Scranton to remove the name of the ‘President Joe Biden Expressway.’ This will forever be a scar, reminding everyone of what happened here in Northeast Pennsylvania. My heart goes out to the victims and the families who were impacted by this scheme that has forever changed their lives.” 

Conahan and Ciavarella were indicted in 2009 for conspiring to funnel juveniles to for-profit detention facilities in exchange for $2.8 million in kickbacks. The scheme affected thousands of young people, many of whom were first-time offenders convicted of minor infractions like truancy or jaywalking. Conahan had 20 months remaining in his sentence.