In June 2020, Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. was determined to have violated county policies on sexual harassment, conduct and discipline by the county solicitor and human resources office.

In March 2021, Halcovage, County Administrator Gary R. Bender, assistant solicitor Glenn Roth and two former human resource directors were sued in federal court by four female county employees who alleged sexual harassment and assault by Halcovage, and the county’s failure to act. Seven months later, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint alleging retaliation for having filed the suit.

Halcovage has denied the accusations.

Today, Halcovage remains a commissioner for the county and will run for reelection this cycle.

What happened to the state House of Representatives’ investigation into the situation?

The new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Timothy Briggs (D-Montgomery) has not moved to restart proceedings with the Subcommittee on Courts. Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin), former chair of the subcommittee, has indicated that the subcommittee was prepared to complete the investigation and make a report to the full committee, yet is unable to until so authorized by the new chair.

“The House should proceed with their efforts and decide whether he should be removed from office,” state Sen. David Argall (R-Carbon/Luzerne/Schuylkill) told the Pottsville Republican and Herald. “I would strongly encourage Chairman Briggs to continue the investigation.

County GOP Party Chairman Howard Merrick said it’s time to act to get the process moving again.

“(The) citizens of Schuylkill County and the government need to remove the cloud that hangs over the county,” he said.

A resolution was introduced Wednesday in the state House of Representatives by Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) that would restart the investigation if approved.

The resolution was also sponsored by other representatives whose districts include Schuylkill County: Jamie Barton (R-Schuylkill/Berks), Joanne Stehr (R-Schuylkill/ Northumberland) and Dane Watro (R-Schuylkill/ Luzerne).

Briggs called the new resolution a “good first step” and that a voting meeting by the Judiciary Committee would have to occur regarding the resolution.

If the committee finds Halcovage engaged in “impeachable” conduct, articles of impeachment can be prepared. If he is impeached by the House, the state Senate would conduct a trial, and if two-thirds of the senators vote for conviction, Halcovage would be removed from office. A majority vote — 102 of 203 — is needed in the House; two-thirds of the Senate is 50 members.

In January, the U.S. Justice Department reached a settlement with Schuylkill County to resolve the department’s claims in Doe et al. v. Schuylkill County et al., alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Today, by this consent decree, we emphasize that local governments must have comprehensive policies and training to prevent sexual harassment and retaliation by public servants,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “No official can abuse their power and position to a workforce they were elected to supervise, and this settlement provides steps the County must take to prevent and address this abusive behavior.”

Under the terms of the consent decree, if approved by the court, the county will, among other things, retain a consultant from a list of consultants approved by the Justice Department. The consultant will conduct a workplace climate survey, propose improvements to the County’s equal employment opportunity policies and develop a new sexual harassment training program. The consent decree also includes restrictions on Commissioner Halcovage, who has refused to resign from his position and who can only be removed, under state law, through impeachment in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and conviction in the Pennsylvania Senate. The four women harassed by Halcovage, who have additional claims under state and federal law against Schuylkill County and several individual defendants, will continue to pursue their claims.”

Halcovage is among the eight Republican nominees for commissioner who will be on the ballot in the May primary.