Another guilty plea in Pa. court scandal

SCRANTON - A court administrator in northeastern Pennsylvania pleaded guilty today to embezzlement.

William Sharkey Sr. is the third figure to admit wrongdoing in an unfolding corruption scandal in Luzerne County. Prosecutors say the 57-year-old court administrator embezzled more than $70,000 in seized gambling proceeds.

Sharkey, who entered his plea in federal court in Scranton, faces up to 10 years in prison.

Luzerne County Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan pleaded guilty last week to fraud charges after prosecutors accused them of taking kickbacks to send juvenile offenders to private detention centers.

Federal prosecutors say their corruption probe is ongoing.