In the early 2000s, residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania started to notice an alarming

trend.

Children were being sent away to jail in high numbers, and for crimes so mild, they might

normally result in a grounding.

The FBI began looking at two local judges on the heels of an investigation into the

mafia, and when the full picture emerged, it made national headlines.

American Scandal is a podcast from Wondery that takes you deep into the most infamous

scandals in American history, from presidential lies to environmental disasters and corporate

fraud.

Their new season takes you into the criminal kickback scheme dubbed Kids For Cash, that

would shatter the lives of countless children and force a heated debate about punishment

in America's criminal justice system.

Judges take a sacred oath to uphold the law.

They're considered the stewards of morality and fairness, and are entrusted to find justice.

But for the community in Lucerne County, Pennsylvania, their belief in the justice system

was shattered in one of the biggest judicial corruption cases in modern history.

You're about to hear a preview of American Scandal.

While you are listening, follow American Scandal wherever you get your podcast.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music or the Wondery app.

It's January 30th, 2007 in Northeast Pennsylvania.

In a hallway outside a juvenile courtroom, Jessica Van Rieeth is pacing anxiously, clutching

a small piece of paper.

...