Pennsylvania Paper Claims $3.5 Million Defamation Award Fixed by Judge

Posted Thursday, February 19, 2009 12:00 am

By: MICHAEL RUBINKAM A Pennsylvania newspaper says a $3.5 million defamation award against it was fixed by a corrupt judge with connections to a reputed mobster at the heart of the case.

The Citizens' Voice wants the state Supreme Court to overturn Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella's 2006 award.

Ciavarella and another judge pleaded guilty last week to fraud charges accusing them of taking kickbacks to send juvenile offenders to private detention centers.

In the 2006 case, Ciavarella awarded damages to a businessman in a lawsuit against The Citizens' Voice, based in Wilkes-Barre. The newspaper had linked the businessman to William D'Elia, who's been convicted of witness tampering and conspiracy to launder drug money.

The newspaper says in court papers being filed Thursday it's uncovered evidence the defamation case was fixed.

Ciavarella's attorney declined comment.

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Pennsylvania Paper Claims $3.5 Million Defamation Award Fixed by Judge

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