2 former Pa. judges in juvenile kickbacks case win partial immunity from lawsuits

Pa. judges in juvenile kickbacks case win immunity

SCRANTON, Pa. — Two former Pennsylvania judges accused of taking kickbacks to supply private detention facilities with juveniles have been granted partial immunity from civil liability.

U.S. District Judge Richard Caputo said Friday that former Luzerne County Judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella (shiv-uh-REL’-uh) are entitled to partial immunity from lawsuits filed by former juvenile defendants.

Caputo says he realizes his decision will be unpopular. But he says the doctrine of judicial immunity requires him to shield the judges from civil liability for any actions they took from the bench.

The judges can still be sued for actions off the bench.

Conahan and Ciavarella have both pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering charges.