PA- Former Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. convicted on 12 counts of racketeering & conspiracy in the kids-for-cash case is free on bail.

Former judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. will remain free while he pursues likely appeals to his conviction on 12 counts, including racketeering and conspiracy, in the kids-for-cash case, a federal judge has ruled.

Ciavarella faces a likely sentence of 12 to 15 years under federal sentencing guidelines, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney William Houser, who argued that Ciavarella should be immediately placed in custody.

"He has a very strong motive to flee," Houser said. "He's approaching 61 years of age. His crimes had a devastating effect on his community and his state."

Defense attorney William Ruzzo argued Ciavarella would never leave his family and has complied with conditions placed on him by the court since his arrest in 2009.

"This man would rather be on a gurney and be injected rather than leave his family," Ruzzo said.

U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosik agreed and ruled that Ciavarella will remain free on $1 million unsecured bond.

The six-man, six-woman jury found the former Luzerne County juvenile court judge guilty of counts related to a $997,600 payment he and another judge received in 2003 from Robert K. Mericle the builder of a for-profit juvenile detention center. It acquitted him on all counts directly related to subsequent payments by Mericle and Robert J. Powell, the owner of the center, who alleged he was extorted by Ciavarella.

Ciavarella, his hands clasped in front of him, showed no emotion as the verdict was read. He huddled briefly with family members before Kosik instructed the jury it had to return to deliberations to determine if Ciavarella will have to forfeiture money to the government. The jury decided Ciavarella should be liable to forfeit $997,600, but testimony at the six-day trial indicated Ciavarella has little, if any, money.


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