‘Conspiracy of Silence’ Allowed Judges’ Kids-for-Cash Scandal to Occur, Says Author

For five years, two judges in Luzerne County, Penn., colluded with the owners of a juvenile detention facility to place children in detention for minor offenses in exchange for bribes amounting to almost $2.8 million. In Kids for Cash: Two Judges, Thousands of Children, and a $2.8 Million Kickback Scheme, William Ecenbarger tells the story of what happened in Luzerne County, and how a “conspiracy of silence” enabled the fraud to go on as long as it did. He speaks with ABA Journal podcast editor Lee Rawles about the details of the case and how the scheme was finally brought to light.

Reviews:

Times Leader: “‘Kids for Cash’ story grabbed author”

Scranton Times-Tribune: “Book explores NEPA’s tolerance of corruption”

Citizens’ Voice: “New book reveals history behind Kids for Cash scheme”

Related articles:

ABA Journal: “Town Without Pity”

ABAJournal.com: “Former Pa. Judge Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison in Kids-for-Cash Scandal”

ABAJournal.com: “Top Pa. Court Vacates 6,000+ Juvenile Rulings By Ex-Luzerne County Judge”

Listen to the Podcast

In This Podcast:

Lee Rawles
William Ecenbarger was part of a Philadelphia Inquirer reporting team that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. He is the author of Kids for Cash: Two Judges, Thousands of Children, and a $2.8 Million Kickback Scheme. He is also the author of Walkin’ the Line, a travel-history narrative about the Mason-Dixon Line. He lives in Hershey, Penn.