Schuylkill Courthouse Officials Demand Halcovage Resign

Five Schuylkill County Courthouse officials have signed and delivered a letter to Commissioner George Halcovage demanding he resign.

The letter was hand-delivered this week by County Treasurer Linda Marchalk to Halcovage.

Halcovage faces increasing pressure to step down from his County Commissioner position after a federal lawsuit was filed earlier this month in which 4 Schuylkill Courthouse employees claim they were subject to his discrimination, sexual harassment, and in the case of one woman, sexual assault. Several other Courthouse officials are also named as Defendants in that lawsuit. Two are accused of failing to act on knowledge that the Commissioner was allegedly treating the accusing women that way.

Marchalk Hand Delivers Letter to Halcovage Demanding His Resignation

In the letter, the Courthouse official say the allegations against Halcovage are affecting County residents and the County government negatively. And the scandal created by the lawsuit and the allegations in it have rendered Halcovage incapable of leading from his position.

“Quite simply, you have lost our trust and we collectively have no confidence in your ability to effectively lead our great County,” the letter states. “We hereby demand your resignation as Schuylkill County Commissioner. We are unified in this request and feel strongly that anything short of resignation would be viewed as condoning your misconduct. Your failure to promptly resign your office will only further stigmatize our great Schuylkill County and the people who work so tirelessly to honorably serve our constituents. We strongly encourage you to act in the best interest of our County and resign your position.”

The letter is signed by Marchalk, along with:

• Prothonotary Bridget Miller
• Clerk of Courts Maria Casey
• Recorder of Deeds Ann Dudish
• Acting Controller Sharyn Yackenchick

It goes on to call the allegations Halcovage is facing “abhorrent, repulsive and inexcusable.”

“The allegations suggest a pattern of conduct unbecoming of any County employee, let alone a County Commissioner who should be held to the highest of standards as the chief elected official in County government,” the letter adds. “Your misconduct is not indicative of the high moral standards espoused by the citizens of Schuylkill County or the Republican Party of Schuylkill County.”

The women state they understand Halcovage does have a right to a defense against the allegations but apparently don’t believe one exists.

“It is difficult to fathom a defense which would effectively excuse your conduct and its impact on these women,” the letter continues.

Here’s a copy of the full letter:

ALSO READ: 

• Schuylkill Commissioners Ignore Demand They Rescind “Retaliation” Moves in Tax Offices
• “Jane Does” Claim Roth, Bender, Others Knew for Years But Did Nothing
• Courthouse Protest Planned in Response to Schuylkill County Discrimination Lawsuit
• 4 Schuylkill County Courthouse Employees Sue for Harassment, Discrimination
• Jane Doe 2: Halcovage Ruined My Marriage, Made Child Custody Threats
• Shocking Allegations of Sexual Harassment, Cover-Ups, and Political Bullying in Lawsuit Filed Against Halcovage, Schuylkill County Officials