Last Updated on December 19, 2024
Following the Presidential pardon of convicted “Kids for Cash” Judge Michael Conahan, a lawmaker is joining residents in calling for Joe Biden’s name to come off a local expressway and street.
State Representative Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) is urging city officials to eliminate President Joe Biden’s name from the signage on the expressway entering Scranton, saying that it will “forever be a scar” for the residents of northeastern Pennsylvania.
In 2008, Conahan, along with former Judge Mark Ciavarella, was found guilty of taking millions in kickbacks for funneling thousands of juveniles into two private detention facilities in which they had financial stakes.
Many of these juveniles were unjustly incarcerated for minor offenses and schoolyard antics that previously would have resulted in nothing more than a brief detention or suspension.
The scandal gained national attention and became infamously known as the “Kids for Cash” scandal.
Pugh criticized Biden and his administration for this decision.
“Conahan’s conduct is forever a blight on Pennsylvania and is a slap in the face to the victims and their families who deserve justice to be served for his atrocious crimes. His clemency places complicity and a stamp of approval on his behavior,” Pugh said.
Biden grew up in Scranton, where he was regarded as the city’s beloved son.
After his inauguration, both the Central Scranton Expressway and Spruce Street in Scranton were named to honor him.
Calls to remove President Biden’s name from the signs are not new.
Earlier this year, an online petition was launched, which has since collected over 19,000 signatures advocating for the removal of the President’s name from the highway leading into the Electric City.
Over time, the sign has turned into a source of inspiration for local Facebook groups, creating memes that humorously suggest Biden’s well-known blunders as potential alternatives.
The Juvenile Law Center aims to abolish corrupt judicial systems first filed a petition with the state’s Supreme Court for relief, according to reports.
