Official statements or legal filings from Governor Josh Shapiro's office

Biden Commutes Sentence of Kids-for-Cash Judge Michael Conahan, Among 1,499 Commutations, Sparking Backlash

Dec 14, 2024, 12:31 AM

President Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan, a key figure in the notorious 'Kids-for-Cash' scandal. Conahan, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in a scheme that funneled juveniles to for-profit detention centers in exchange for kickbacks totaling approximately $2.1 million, was among 1,499 individuals whose sentences were commuted in a significant clemency action. Conahan had been released to home confinement in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, with six years remaining on his sentence. The decision has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Pennsylvania officials and victims' advocates, who argue that it undermines justice for the thousands of children affected by the scandal. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the commutation, stating that it 'created a lot of pain' in the community and asserting that Conahan 'deserves to be behind bars, not walking as a free man.'