Jury found "kids for cash" judge Mark Ciavarella guilty of racketeering and conspiracy

The defense and prosecution both declared victory after Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. was found guilty on 12 counts and acquitted of 27 Friday, but the former Luzerne County Juvenile Court judge, who would have spent less than seven years in prison under a plea agreement that collapsed in 2009, now faces 13 to 15 years.

A jury in U.S. District Court found Mr. Ciavarella guilty of racketeering and conspiracy for accepting $997,600 from wealthy developer Robert K. Mericle. Mr. Mericle testified he won a contract to build a for-profit juvenile detention center after a referral from Mr. Ciavarella.  Read more: