Former county probation official surrenders social work license

By Michael Sisak
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, April 20, 2009 3:28 PM EDT

Sandra M. Brulo, the Luzerne County probation official who pleaded guilty last month to altering a juvenile court file, has agreed to permanently surrender her license to practice social work in Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés said.

“The guidance and protection of our children is among the most profound responsibilities we are entrusted with, and one which has been breached in this judicial corruption case,” Cortés said in a statement. “We acted swiftly to ensure Ms. Brulo will never again practice social work in Pennsylvania.”

View stories, documents and videos related to the court corruption probe

The Department of State licenses and regulates social workers and other professionals working in Pennsylvania.

Brulo pleaded guilty March 26 to a felony charge of obstruction of justice after she allegedly attempted to conceal her recommendation that Ciavarella send a juvenile defendant to a detention facility.

Federal prosecutors could also recommend a lighter sentence depending on her level of cooperation in an ongoing corruption probe at the county courthouse.

Brulo pleaded guilty last Thursday to a felony charge of obstruction of justice after she allegedly attempted to conceal her recommendation that Ciavarella send a juvenile defendant to a detention facility.

Brulo admitted to the FBI agents who arrested her last month that she created a fabricated recommendation for the juvenile to serve probation instead of detention, an affidavit said.

Brulo requested the file on Feb. 13, according to the affidavit, the same day she was named as a defendant in the original draft of a class-action lawsuit.

The county, through its insurance providers, will represent Brulo in the lawsuit.

Conviction of a felony is a violation of the state Social Workers Practice Act. Upon being notified of the federal conviction, the Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs set in motion the proceedings that led to Brulo’s agreement to voluntarily and permanently surrender her license, Cortes said.

“Our close cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare allowed us to reach a swift conclusion on this case,” Basil Merenda, commissioner of the Department’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, said. “We will continue to work with federal and state agencies to protect the public welfare wherever and whenever possible.”

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Citizens' Voice.

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