Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2000
Source: Morning Call (PA)
Copyright: 2000 The Morning Call Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mcall.com/

RUTH ANN JANUS GETS ONE-YEAR PROBATION IN COCAINE CASE

Ruth Ann Janus was ordered Wednesday to serve a year on probation and
attend drug and alcohol counseling for trying to buy cocaine for her
husband, Robert, the former mayor of Bangor.

Janus, 48, of 950 Pennsylvania Ave., Bangor, was charged with criminal
conspiracy and criminal attempt to purchase cocaine on Sept. 27, when
she bought what she thought were three bags of cocaine from an
undercover police officer, telling the officer to put the cocaine on
her husband's tab. The cocaine was fake.

The same day, her husband and 16 others were arrested in the
culmination of Operation Clean Slate, a police sting that focused on
drug trafficking in the Bangor area, particularly at the Sportsman
Bar.

Janus was among a group of people who appeared before Northampton
County Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden for admission into the Accelerated
Rehabilitative Disposition program for firstoffenders involved in
nonviolent crimes.

If she successfully completes probation and counseling, Janus'
criminal record will be expunged. As part of her participation in the
program, she had to admit guilt. She must also pay court and program
costs.

Robert Janus is in the fourth month of his 11- to 23-month county
prison sentence for using his position as mayor to tip off drug
dealers to the police sting in return for free or discounted cocaine.
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