Casey Accuses Boots of Running Cover for Embattled Halcovage

Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Maria Casey returned to the open mic at the County Commissioners meeting this week.

And now she’s accusing new Commissioners chairman Boots Hetherington of running cover for embattled fellow Commissioner George Halcovage.

Halcovage was not at this week’s meeting. And Casey called in by phone after Hetherington told her two weeks ago to “please, sit down” after she blasted him for changing procedure on Public Comments at the last minute.

The week prior to that, more than a handful of women claiming to be County Courthouse employees expressed concern or fear over coming to work where Halcovage would be.

An internal County investigation found enough credible evidence exists to say Halcovage violated several workplace policies, including sexual harassment. Halcovage denies the accusations but in the meantime, has stepped aside as Schuylkill Commissioners chairman.

Is Boots Running Cover for George?

So, on Wednesday, with Casey phoning in to make comments, she accused the new Commissioners chairman of running cover for Halcovage.

The two had another testy exchange. But it started somewhat cordial.

Casey started her comments by saying, “This is Maria Casey, your Clerk of Courts.”

Hetherington replied and said, “Good morning, Maria.”

That’s about where the niceties ended. Casey made a snide remark about Hetherington’s rule that speakers during the second Public Comment portion of the meeting – on non-Agenda items – give their name and municipality.

“Good morning, Boots. Do you want my Social Security Number to verify it’s me?”

Boots wasted no time in replying and said, “No, your voice does it pretty well and your municipality is fine, Maria. Just follow the rules.”

Casey then went into what seemed like an impromptu rant on the new rules. And in doing so, accused Hetherington of running cover for the embattled Halcovage.

“The rules were imposed by you in an effort to squelch the women who wanted to testify against George. And now you’ve done that because they’re afraid to call in because they know how you retaliate,” Casey said. “Highly improper motive, again, helping to continue to let him have his way in the Courthouse and continue his misdeeds and, indeed, criminal behavior.”

Casey says she wants Hetherington to “revisit” his new rules on Public Comment at the Schuylkill Commissioners meeting. She says the only reason changes were made was to silence those who think Halcovage is a danger to them.

“It’s meant solely to squelch the voices of women who would otherwise testify against him. It’s highly improper. And you always talk about your 3 daughters. I don’t think you’d want them to be in this position,” she said.

ALSO READ:

• The Summer of George Halcovage (A Meme Story)
• Crickets on the Halcovage Saga During Recent Schuylkill Commissioners Meeting
• Women Claiming to be Courthouse Employees Say They Don’t Feel Safe at Work
• Halcovage Confined to Office, Bathroom Breaks at Schuylkill County Courthouse
• “Maria, would you please sit down?” – Drama Over Agenda Order at Schuylkill Commissioners Meeting
• Schuylkill Clerk of Courts Calls Halcovage a “Serial Perpetrator” Who “Prowls the Hallways”

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