Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. has been sued in federal court for his alleged sexual harassment of female county employees.

The suit was filed Tuesday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania by four Schuylkill County women named as Jane Doe, Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4. The women are not identified by name in the suit.

Their names are not provided due “to the extreme hardship such revelation of her identity would cause and the need to protect victims of sexual crimes,” the suit reads.

Glenn Roth, first assistant solicitor; Gary Bender, county administrator; Heidi Zula, human resources director; and Doreen Kutzler, former interim human resources director, are also named as defendants.

Roth said he could not comment on the matter. Zula also declined comment. Bender did not return a call for comment.

The filing alleges that Roth and Bender knew of Halcovage’s actions and failed to act accordingly.

A jury trial is demanded. The women are demanding an amount to be determined at the time of trial plus interest, including but not limited to “all emotional distress and back pay and front pay, punitive damages, liquidated damages, statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements of action; and for such other relief as the court deems just and proper.”

The 75-page document graphically details charges, saying Halcovage requested sexual favors and made inappropriate comments.

“Upon information and belief, Defendant Halcovage believed the rules and law did not equally apply to his comments and conduct and was clearly aware that he had control over certain people, in particular, women,” the suit charges.

The suit alleges Halcovage making comments about oral sex, exposing himself, sending questionable correspondence and showing up uninvited at the residence of a plaintiff. Repeated phone calls and text messages are also alleged.

The lawsuit says the women felt “extremely humiliated, degraded, victimized, embarrassed and emotionally distressed,” as a result of the actions of the defendants.

The state Attorney General’s office decided not to file charges against Halcovage. The office was tasked with determining if Halcovage should face criminal charges for his alleged harassment of female county employees.

The county’s solicitor’s office and the human resources office investigated and determined that Halcovage violated three county policies, sexual harassment, conduct and discipline, and physical and verbal abuse. The investigation determined that if Halcovage was an employee he would be suspended and recommended he be terminated.

Halcovage stepped down as chairman of the commissioners in June, saying he didn’t want to distract from county business. Barron “Boots” Hetherington was appointed chairman.

Halcovage took office in 2012.

Local response

Howard Merrick, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, said the allegations are “very, very serious.” He has read media reports and plans to read the lawsuit but declined further comment.

Gerard Geiger, Halcovage’s attorney, declined comment. Halcovage did not return a call for comment.

Hetherington said he was aware of the suit but didn’t read it yet. He had no additional comment. Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess said he hadn’t read the lawsuit but would. He also declined further comment.

“These are very serious allegations. I cannot make any further comments until I review the impeachment precedents with the state senate legal staff,” said state Sen. David Argall, who represents Schuylkill and Berks counties.