After more than 2 years of legal wrangling, the Jane Doe sexual harassment lawsuit hanging over Schuylkill County government and Commissioner George Halcovage may be nearing its conclusion.
A settlement conference is scheduled for later this week in the matter. The scheduled conference comes a little more than a month after the 4 Jane Doe plaintiffs and the County announced they’d entered into “good faith discussions” on settling this lawsuit.
Four Schuylkill County government employees – identified as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4 – accuse Halcovage of a pattern of sexual harassment, charges which he denies and maintains he’s innocent.
The lawsuit also accuses several government officials, and the County government itself, of ignoring their complaints about the Commissioner and also of retaliating against them for speaking out.
While this lawsuit was on track, albeit a slow track, toward a trial, an agreed upon settlement prior could avoid that.
A settlement could be one step closer to reality this Friday, June 9, when the sides will meet in the chambers of US Magistrate Judge Joseph Saporito Jr. in Wilkes-Barre.
The Jane Doe plaintiffs have previously rejected an $850,000 settlement offer from the County.
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