Luzerne County and corruption seem to go hand in hand, especially after two judges pleaded guilty to accepting millions in kickback money.
As part of their plea the judges will spend years in prison but when it comes to white collar criminals, most don't spend anytime behind bars.
From a high school guidance counselor, to a Penn State University worker to a county employee, white collar crime in Luzerne County has many faces and when it comes to punishment, jail time is rare.
Carl Salitis and Robert Pritchard both admitted stealing tens of thousands of dollars while working at the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds office. Both were sentenced to house arrest.
Rickie wWhitebread was a township supervisor and roadmaster. He pleaded guilty to taking thousands of dollars. His punishment was also house arrest.
Christine Healey admitted she swiped money meant for National Guard troops and their families. She got probation.
"A slap on the hand is not fair. If you're going to steal no matter where you steal, you should pay the consequences," said Catherine Simmons. She said pay the consequences means jail time.
"White collar crime is still crime and most of it, in fact, depending on what kind of threshold you're talking about, certainly means felony offense and those people should absolutely go to jail," said Brian Demorrow of White Haven.
Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said she understands people's frustrations.
"We do have to hold people accountable. We do have to hold people's feet to the fire. We have to hold them accountable," Musto Carroll said.
She added the problem is statutory limitations, or the guidelines judges must use when sentencing people for crimes.
"So yes, I understand people want to see harsher sentences and we do as well as the district attorney's office, but all of the sentences that the judges are following the guidelines giving are legal sentences. So maybe in the future those guidelines will be changed, maybe in the future the judges will lean toward the harsher ends of the guidelines," the district attorney added.
Musto Carroll said she doesn't think there is more white collar crime in Luzerne County compared to other areas but there is a heightened awareness in the county when it comes to that kind of crime.
People said they are certainly sick of it.
"I think it's the same as blue collar crime. They should all go to the same jail," said Gary Amditis of Wilkes-Barre Township.
The district attorney said itup to the state commission on sentencing to change the limitations and guidelines when it comes to white collar crime.
As part of their plea the judges will spend years in prison but when it comes to white collar criminals, most don't spend anytime behind bars.
From a high school guidance counselor, to a Penn State University worker to a county employee, white collar crime in Luzerne County has many faces and when it comes to punishment, jail time is rare.
Carl Salitis and Robert Pritchard both admitted stealing tens of thousands of dollars while working at the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds office. Both were sentenced to house arrest.
Rickie wWhitebread was a township supervisor and roadmaster. He pleaded guilty to taking thousands of dollars. His punishment was also house arrest.
Christine Healey admitted she swiped money meant for National Guard troops and their families. She got probation.
"A slap on the hand is not fair. If you're going to steal no matter where you steal, you should pay the consequences," said Catherine Simmons. She said pay the consequences means jail time.
"White collar crime is still crime and most of it, in fact, depending on what kind of threshold you're talking about, certainly means felony offense and those people should absolutely go to jail," said Brian Demorrow of White Haven.
Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said she understands people's frustrations.
"We do have to hold people accountable. We do have to hold people's feet to the fire. We have to hold them accountable," Musto Carroll said.
She added the problem is statutory limitations, or the guidelines judges must use when sentencing people for crimes.
"So yes, I understand people want to see harsher sentences and we do as well as the district attorney's office, but all of the sentences that the judges are following the guidelines giving are legal sentences. So maybe in the future those guidelines will be changed, maybe in the future the judges will lean toward the harsher ends of the guidelines," the district attorney added.
Musto Carroll said she doesn't think there is more white collar crime in Luzerne County compared to other areas but there is a heightened awareness in the county when it comes to that kind of crime.
People said they are certainly sick of it.
"I think it's the same as blue collar crime. They should all go to the same jail," said Gary Amditis of Wilkes-Barre Township.
The district attorney said itup to the state commission on sentencing to change the limitations and guidelines when it comes to white collar crime.
