This is a press release from Smart Elections, published on Substack and elsewhere- editor.

If we don’t talk about these issues, it will be much harder to solve them. The first step is to have the courage to express our doubts.

More than fifteen years after the “kids for cash” scandal shocked the nation, it’s back, stirring not just public incredulity but, for some, soul-slicing memories of hell on Earth.

This is thanks to Joe Biden’s decision to grant clemency to Michel Conahan, one of two juvenile-court judges in Luzerne County. Pennsylvania, convicted of accepting cash from private detention centers – as much as $2.8 million over a period of about six years – in exchange for sending them children (my God, as young as 8-years-old) convicted of petty offenses, such as fighting, shoplifting, underage drinking, to serve prolonged sentences in prison.

After nearly one year to the day when a signed agreement was made between City Attorney Zach Klein and the Whitehall City Attorney’s office for Whitehall to investigate Mayor Ginther’s exparte communication with Judge Stephanie Mingo, Whitehall City Attorney Brad Nicodemus finally disclosed his investigation report.

Mr. Nicodemus, in what many will view as a predictable biased decision, found that “with insufficient probable cause for obstruction of official business and interference with civil rights, neither charge will be filed with the court.”

The logic of his decision is not sound. Ginther obstructed justice and violated the constitutional rights of the parties by contacting the judge. In my opinion, the decision appears to be politically biased in favor of Mayor Ginther. This means the Mayor is free to interfere with any pending case.

A parole was held for Leonard Peltier on June 10, 2024, where he was denied parole once again. At 80 years old, Leonard’s health continues to deteriorate and he deserves to spend the rest of his life in dignity, in his homelands.  The countdown to Biden’s last day in office is on–we need you to join us in taking action and demanding Executive Clemency now! 

Together with a broad coalition of organizations representing millions of people across the country, we’re asking President Biden to recognize that enough is enough and finally grant Leonard Peltier his freedom.

EMAIL THE WHITE HOUSE

Write a message electronically in support of Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier at comments@whitehouse.gov

CALL THE WHITE HOUSE​

Leave a message at the number below, using the script provided as a guide: (202)456-1111

EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Write a message electronically in support of Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier.