Nothing will likely top the Hunter Biden pardon in awfulness, but Joe Biden seems intent on doing his best to try. The president’s recent decision to commute the sentence of Michael Conahan, a former Pennsylvania judge implicated in the infamous “Kids for Cash” scandal, has sparked outrage among victims and their families. Conahan was one of nearly 1,500 individuals granted clemency as part of Biden’s efforts to provide second chances to those placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conahan admitted to participating in a scheme that funneled thousands of children into privately run juvenile detention centers in exchange for kickbacks. He had been serving a 17.5-year prison sentence for racketeering conspiracy before his release to home confinement in 2020, after serving 11 years. Critics argue that the president’s decision dismisses the profound harm caused by the scandal, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania described as one of the worst cases of judicial corruption in state history.
For the victims, the clemency decision is a painful reminder of the long-lasting damage caused by the scheme. Sandy Fonzo, whose son was unjustly incarcerated by Conahan’s co-conspirator, Mark Ciavarella, expressed disbelief that Biden would pardon such a monster, reported The New York Post.
“I am shocked and I am hurt,” Sandy Fonzo, whose son committed suicide after he was locked up as part of the scheme orchestrated by Conahan and former judge Mark Ciavarella, said in a statement.
“Conahan‘s actions destroyed families, including mine, and my son‘s death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power,” she added, according to The Citizen’s Voice. “This pardon feels like an injustice for all of us who still suffer.”
“Right now I am processing and doing the best I can to cope with the pain that this has brought back.”
Amanda Lorah, another victim who spent nearly five years in a juvenile detention facility as a result of Conahan’s actions, shared similar sentiments, wrote Newsweek. Speaking to a local news outlet, she said, “It’s like a slap in the face for us all over again. What about us? We didn’t have anyone advocating for us, and now the president is doing this?”
The White House defended the clemency decision, emphasizing that it focused on individuals who had successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and demonstrated they deserved a second chance. Supporters of the initiative, including Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, praised Biden’s efforts, highlighting the broader impact of his actions. Pressley noted, “By taking this meaningful and historic action, President Biden is giving nearly 1,500 people the opportunity to remain with their loved ones and rebuild their futures.”
The “Kids for Cash” scandal, which came to light over a decade ago, led to the vacating of thousands of juvenile convictions imposed by Conahan and Ciavarella. The scheme devastated trust in the judicial system and left countless families grappling with its consequences. While Conahan’s 2020 release to home confinement and Biden’s recent clemency have reignited anger among victims, Ciavarella remains incarcerated, serving a 28-year sentence for his role in the scandal.
