SCRANTON — A developer at the center of a kids-for-cash scheme pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony stemming from alleged payments to two county judges.

Robert K. Mericle failed to tell a federal grand jury about $2.1 million in finders' fees his company paid to ousted judges Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. and Michael T. Conahan.

The judges closed a county facility and instead sent juveniles to two new private facilities through an expensive 20-year contract with the operator, PA Child Care. Mericle Construction, a large commercial developer based in Wilkes-Barre, built the centers.

Mericle faces 4 to 10 months in prison after Wednesday's plea. He also will pay $2.1 million toward local children's programs.

Mericle, 46, is at least the 11th person charged in a sweeping Luzerne County corruption probe that has taken down judges, education officials and others.

Robert Powell, a lawyer and owner of the PA Child Care facilities, pleaded guilty last month to paying kickbacks to the judges.

Conahan and Ciavarella entered plea agreements but withdrew them last week after the judge refused to be bound by the negotiated sentences.