Families in Pennsylvania are reeling after President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Michael Conahan, a former judge convicted for his role in the “kids-for-cash” scandal. Conahan admitted to accepting millions in kickbacks to send children to privately owned detention centers, leading to devastating consequences for thousands of families.
Conahan’s corruption began in 2002 when he shut down a county-run juvenile detention center, ensuring that minors were sent to for-profit facilities. In exchange, Conahan and a co-conspirator received $2.8 million in illegal payments. Prosecutors revealed that children as young as eight were detained for minor infractions such as truancy or skipping school.
Mother who lost her son in the "Kids-for-Cash" scheme speaks out after President Biden pardoned one of the men she accuses of k*lling her child.
Sandy Fonzo is famous for berating a judge for accepting kickbacks to send children to for-profit detention facilities.
Biden… pic.twitter.com/jVFXXWKKVn
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 13, 2024
“This decision has brought back so much pain,” said Sandy Fonzo, whose son took his own life after being jailed under Conahan’s rulings. “His actions destroyed families, including mine. The idea that he is free feels like another injustice.”
The scandal led to Pennsylvania’s supreme court overturning thousands of juvenile convictions and highlighted the emotional toll on victims. Many children struggled with mental health issues, drug addiction or suicide as a result of their wrongful incarceration.
Biden slammed for commuting sentence of notorious ‘Kids-for-Cash’ judge convicted of imprisoning juveniles for $2.1M kickbacks https://t.co/7HpgWL2Ozu pic.twitter.com/n6hHxAJHU3
— New York Post (@nypost) December 13, 2024
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) spoke out against Biden’s decision, calling it a “serious mistake” that has reopened old wounds for communities across the state. “Families were torn apart by this scandal,” Shapiro said. “Some children lost their lives because of the actions of these corrupt judges. It is hard to comprehend how anyone could think clemency is appropriate here.”
HEARTBREAKING moment Sandy Fonzo confronted a judge who was part of the kids-for-cash scheme where 2 judges were receiving millions of dollars to send kids to for-profit prisons.
Her son ended up committing suicide.
Biden just commuted the sentence of one of the judges.
Can… pic.twitter.com/pkylK7O8sY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 13, 2024
Biden also commuted the sentence of former Illinois comptroller Rita Crundwell, who embezzled over $53 million from her city. Critics have expressed frustration with the president’s clemency decisions, arguing they undermine justice for communities that were deeply harmed by these crimes.
For those impacted by Conahan’s corruption, Biden’s decision has renewed feelings of betrayal and left families questioning the fairness of the justice system.
