2 Pa. judges seek immunity from civil lawsuits filed in wake of ‘kids for cash’ scandal

Judges seek immunity in Pa. ‘kids for cash’ case

State Department watchdog cites ‘insufficient oversight’ of foreign exchange programs

SCRANTON, Pa. — The nation’s foreign exchange student programs need better federal oversight, the State Department’s internal watchdog concludes in a new report following a scandal in which students were placed in shoddy homes in Pennsylvania.

Former Pa. judges implicated in ‘kids for cash’ scandal plead not guilty to 48 counts

SCRANTON, Pa. — Two former Pennsylvania judges implicated in a “kids-for-cash” scandal on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering charges.

Roman Catholic bishop cites fatigue, insomnia in abruptly leaving diocese in northeastern Pa.

SCRANTON, Pa. — A Roman Catholic bishop criticized for his autocratic management style announced Monday that he is stepping down for health reasons, saying that tension within the diocese about his ideas and governance style led to insomnia and crippling physical fatigue.

Calif. mom praised by foreign exchange students, condemned by industry for whistleblowing

SCRANTON, Pa. — In a few weeks, thousands of foreign exchange students will arrive in the United States for what they hope will be a rewarding time of study and cultural enrichment. Shortly after that, Danielle Grijalva’s phone will start ringing, and her e-mail inbox will begin filling up. It happens every year.

US judge asked to save records of judicial scandal that Pa. high court has ordered destroyed

SCRANTON, Pa. — A federal judge was asked Monday to preserve thousands of juvenile court records in a Pennsylvania judicial scandal — evidence of wrongdoing that the state Supreme Court has declared should be destroyed.

Reports of exchange students in US underfed, living in filth lead to calls for federal reform

SCRANTON, Pa. — During his year as a foreign exchange student in the United States, 18-year-old Carlos Villarreal lived not with a welcoming family, but with two ex-convicts in a seedy house that smelled of dog feces and where the food was labeled “DO NOT TOUCH.” He left 14 pounds lighter.

US embarrassment: Exchange students in Pa. underfed, lived in filth; federal reforms demanded

SCRANTON, Pa. — Federal regulators say they share the blame for failing to prevent the mistreatment of as many as a dozen foreign exchange students in northeastern Pennsylvania this past school year.

Lawyer pleads guilty to role in $2.5M kickback scam involving northeastern Pa. juvenile cases

SCRANTON, Pa. — A lawyer at the center of a $2.5 million kickback scheme involving a pair of corrupt judges and hundreds of juvenile criminal cases pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Secret Service agent attacked with brass knuckles, asphalt chunk in road rage in Pa.

SCRANTON, Pa. — A northeastern Pennsylvania man is accused of attacking a Secret Service agent with brass knuckles and a chunk of asphalt.