Stand with David Thurston: Expose Court Corruption

Help Me Fight Corruption and Protect My Daughter

Hello, my name is David Thurston, and I am asking for your support in an urgent legal battle to protect my daughter and expose corruption within Pennsylvania’s family court system. My case goes far beyond judicial misconduct—it reveals a disturbing pattern of abuse of power, systemic failures, and allegedly criminal behavior by trusted officials in Luzerne County. This is the same courthouse where I was victimized as a child during the infamous Kids for Cash scandal. Now, decades later, my daughter is experiencing abuse in the same courthouse.

The Situation

My daughter, who is nonverbal and has autism, has been subjected to unimaginable harm due to unjust rulings by Luzerne County’s family court. In March 2024, the court ordered an unwarranted second forensic examination on her—commonly referred to as a rape kit—despite no evidence to justify such invasive procedures. This decision was based on fabricated testimony and false narratives created by the judge in question.

Over the past two years, the court has repeatedly ignored evidence of abuse, mischaracterized facts, and retaliated against me for challenging its decisions. My case was dismissed twice by Pennsylvania’s Superior Court—not based on its merits but due to procedural technicalities. If left unchallenged, the judge’s false narratives will restrict my right to see my daughter, remove protections placed on her by a previous judge, and force my 2021 pending lawsuit into dismissal.

As a result of these rulings, I have seen my daughter only twice in the past 11 months—most recently on February 14, 2025. Before these unjust rulings, I had equal custody of my daughter and spent more time with her than her mother.

Why I Need Your Help

I am now preparing to file a federal lawsuit to hold the court accountable for violating my constitutional rights and endangering my child. This legal battle is complex and expensive. I have already spent over 1,000 hours working on my case since 2023 while representing myself in court. Unfortunately, this has severely impacted my small business—I am behind on taxes and unable to replace essential equipment like my truck, which has a hole in its engine that is beyond repair.

While I am struggling with my business right now because of this fight for justice, what matters most is protecting my daughter. I will figure out how to get my business back on track—I’m a hard worker—but I cannot do this alone when it comes to fighting for her safety and well-being.

Your contributions will help cover:

- Legal fees for a federal attorney

- Filing costs and court expenses

- Expert consultations to strengthen my case

My fight against judicial misconduct is deeply personal. As a child growing up in Luzerne County during the Kids for Cash scandal, I was victimized by corrupt judges who prioritized profit over justice. Now, decades later, my daughter is facing abuse in the same courthouse where I endured trauma as a child. The parallels between our experiences are heartbreaking—and they underscore the urgent need for accountability in Luzerne County’s legal system.

Systemic Corruption in Luzerne County

This case exposes systemic corruption within Luzerne County institutions:

- In 2021, Joanne Van Saun, the former director of Luzerne County Children & Youth Services (CYS), was arrested for endangering hundreds of children.

- Judge Tara Toohil has ties to CYS through her nonprofit organization “Brandon’s Forever Home,” which promotes adoption and reported over $1.6 million in revenue between 2016–2022.

- The nonprofit has collaborated with CASA of Luzerne County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and other entities tied to family court proceedings.

These connections raise serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety in cases involving vulnerable children like mine.

My Hope: A Viral Documentary

In addition to pursuing justice through legal channels, I have already released a documentary exposing corruption within Pennsylvania’s family court system. My hope is that this documentary will go viral and raise awareness about these injustices. If it reaches enough people, I pray that 10,000 individuals will be inspired to donate just $5 each—enough to help me cover legal expenses and continue fighting for my daughter.

This fight is not just about me—it’s about protecting my daughter from further harm and exposing corruption that affects countless families like mine. If left unchallenged, these actions will set a dangerous precedent for other parents seeking justice in family courts.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every dollar helps bring me closer to securing justice for my daughter.

2. Share: Spread the word by sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks.

I deeply appreciate your kindness and generosity during this challenging time. Together, we can make a difference—not just for my family but for others facing similar injustices in our legal system.