E. Pa. county official cooperating in corruption probe

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A row officer in northeastern Pennsylvania is cooperating with federal authorities investigating corruption at a county courthouse, according to documents filed Tuesday.

Luzerne County Prothonotary Jill Moran approached federal authorities with information that others had tried to use her to commit fraud, according to an agreement she signed with prosecutors.

The agreement, filed in federal court in Scranton, was not more specific about the nature of the fraud.

Moran, 39, has denied criminal wrongdoing. But she may face criminal charges if she violates her agreement to cooperate, according to court documents.

Moran’s law partner, Robert Powell, is alleged to have paid kickbacks to two Luzerne County judges who pleaded guilty to corruption this month. Powell has not been charged.

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