Sheriff restricts Halcovage courthouse access
May 13—Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody is limiting commissioner George Halcovage's access to the courthouse.
In a letter delivered Thursday afternoon to the embattled official, Groody informs Halcovage that, starting Monday, he must park at the entrance used by the public, where the metal detectors are located, only enter by that door and he may only be in the building during business hours 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Halcovage is under two protection from sexual violence orders, is facing impeachment in the state General Assembly, and dealing with a federal lawsuit filed by four women, current and past county employees, who accuse him of sexual harassment and assault. Halcovage has not addressed the accusations publicly, referring all question to his lawyers. A county investigation last year found that Halcovage had violated county regulations and he would have been fired if he were an employee, however, being an elected official, he can only be removed by losing an election or impeachment. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro declined to file charges last year, citing the statute of limitations.
"I am writing to advise you that the aforementioned Row Officers and Sheriff Groody unanimously agreed at our meeting to terminate your identification card and further restrict your access to the Courthouse," The letter, written by the Sheriff's Office Solicitor James C. Bohorad, states.
"On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, a meeting was held with Sheriff Groody, the elected Row Officers of Schuylkill County, and myself to discuss your ability to access the Courthouse. Row Officers attending included Maria Casey, Clerk of Courts, Sharyn Yackenchick, Acting Controller, Bridget I. Miller, Prothonotary, Ann Dudish, Recorder of Deeds, and Linda L. Marchalk, Treasurer. DistrictAttorney Michael A. O'Pake and Register of Wills Theresa Santai Gaffney were unable to attend, and David Moylan was not included because he does not work in the Courthouse.
"The meeting was scheduled as a result of the Sexual Violence Protective Orders entered against you by Judge Robert J. Eby on May 5, 2021.
Groody's restrictions are a renewal of of limitations the sheriff placed on Halcovage during last year's investigation, as Bohorad explains.
"You will recall that when the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General initiated an investigation against you last year, Sheriff Groody restricted your access to the Courthouse. At that time, you were required to enter and exit the Courthouse only through its main entrance and pass through the metal detectors before accessing the rest of the building. Your access was limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Several months later, the Sheriff relaxed the restrictions so that you could enter and exit through the Commissioners' entrance on Laurel Boulevard, under the condition that you still agreed to be wanded by Deputies when you entered. When the Office of Attorney General chose not to pursue criminal charges against you, Sheriff Groody ended the requirement that you be wanded prior to entering the Courthouse, however your access continued to be restricted to weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."
