Post by bob q on Nov 4, 2011 9:43:00 GMT -5
Kids-for-cash defendant Powell sentenced to 18 months in prison
By Michael Sisak and Patrick Sweet, Staff WritersPublished: November 4, 2011
Mark Moran / The Citizens' Voice
Attorney Robert J. Powell must serve 18 months in prison for his role in the $2.8 million Luzerne County kids-for-cash corruption scheme, a federal judge said this morning.
The judge, Edwin M. Kosik, departed slightly from federal sentencing guidelines in light of Powell’s cooperation with other prosecutions — notably those of former judges Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. and Michael T. Conahan.
Powell secretly recorded conversations with the judges and testified against Ciavarella in February. Ciavarella was convicted and is serving a 28-year prison sentence. Conahan was sentenced to 17 1/2 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy.
Powell’s attorney, Joseph D’Andrea, asked for even more leniency, saying the court had never seen a witness as cooperative as his client. D’Andrea asked for no more than 12 months in prison and, ideally, probation.
“This is not substantial assistance, your honor, this is extraordinary assistance,” D’Andrea said.
Kosik, though, refused.
“I am convinced all these defendants somehow knew what each was doing and how each was benefiting,” Kosik said.
Powell must report to prison by Nov. 30.