Attorney Al Flora Jr. stood outside a federal courthouse in Scranton 10 years ago and declared victory on behalf of former Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. after a jury acquitted him of 27 of 39 charges.
The veteran lawyer insisted the jury validated the defenseâs claims the case was never about âcash for kids.â
But, a decade later, Flora concedes the kids-for-cash label damaged Ciavarella in the court of public opinion and proved to be a major obstacle to overcome at trial.
Truly, he said the defense knew anything but a total acquittal would be a major blow to Ciavarella and assure a lengthy federal prison sentence for the former judge. Flora said his victory declaration â despite Ciavarellaâs conviction on 12 charges, including racketeering â was done mainly to appease the former judge, who adamantly wanted to take his case to trial to fight the kids-for-cash theory, which he vehemently denies to this day.
Faced with two organizations seeking approval to hold separate Independence Day parades, Wright Twp. supervisors last week put off a decision on the requests and urged the organizations to try
Honoring two people who really care
Donnie Evans and Abby Lovallo have helped raised over $100,000 to help buy protective shields for Luzerne County police officers. Author: Chelsea Strub Updated: 7:03 PM EST February 10, 2021
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. A small ceremony took place inside the Luzerne County Courthouse, honoring two citizens. Do hereby honor and thank Donnie Evans and Abby Lovallo for their commitment to others in the community and exemplifying what it means to care, said Matthew Vough, Luzerne County Councilman.
Over the last three years, Donnie Evans of Forty Fort has raised more than $100,000 through a Skate with a Cop fundraiser to buy protective shields for police officers all over Luzerne county.
Sheâs in.
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis ended months of speculation Tuesday by announcing sheâs resigning to run for Luzerne County judge this year.
The three-term Republican prosecutor plans to seek one of two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
âIt has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of Luzerne County as district attorney and I will continue to serve the public interest if elected as judge,â Salavantis said in a news release.
Salavantis said she will resign after the nominating petition process is complete.
Candidates can start circulating nominating petitions Feb. 16 to get on the ballot for the May 18 primary election. The deadline to file nominating petitions is March 9.