Luzerne judge pleads guilty in corruption case

SCRANTON - A Luzerne County Court judge ensnared in a federal probe has pleaded guilty to corruption charges.

Judge Michael Toole pleaded guilty yesterday in Scranton to honest-services fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors say he hid his financial relationship with a lawyer who appeared before him and didn't report a $30,000 referral fee from another lawyer on his taxes. Toole's plea requires him to resign in the next 10 days. He will remain free pending his March 20 sentencing.

About two dozen people have been charged in the wide-ranging investigation in the Northeastern Pennsylvania county. - AP