Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Maria Casey asked that Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. be banned from the courthouse.

“The allegations in that 75-page document that gives every single reason to do that,” Casey said during Wednesday’s commissioner meeting.

She was referencing the federal lawsuit last week where he was sued in the Middle District of Pennsylvania by four female county employees for alleged sexual harassment.

County Administrator Gary Bender, First Assistant Solicitor Glenn Roth, Heidi Zula, human resources director, and Doreen Kutzler, former interim human resources director, are also named as defendants. The plaintiffs are identified as Jane Doe, Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4.

“I’m asking that you treat these four victims like their your own daughters. I think you owe that to them, and you owe that to all of the women in this county, but particularly in this courthouse,” Casey said.

Roth said he didn’t believe Halcovage would be banned. Commissioners took no action on the matter.

“I am unaware of any legal authority to ban a duly elected official from coming to the courthouse,” Roth said.

Casey also called again for Halcovage to resign and said taxpayer money should not be spent on the lawsuit.

“It’s the only right thing to do. The allegations are lurid and despicable.”

She said Halcovage is entitled to his day in court, but said, “these allegations are so detailed and so fact specific that it is hard to imagine that all of them are contrived.”

Casey and said no taxpayer money should fund the settlement.

“Why put this burden on the taxpayers based on despicable conduct by a certain county commissioner? It simply isn’t fair,” she said.

She questioned a recent vote to take away salaries from two employees whose roles were restructured.

Casey called for the vote to be rescinded, citing a connection with the litigation.

Commissioners didn’t act on the request. Roth said he doesn’t comment on personnel matters.

Melissa Melewsky, attorney with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said the vote isn’t a state ethics act issue, “but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem.”

“It’s really tied to money,” she said about the act.

She said because of the ongoing litigation involving Halcovage and the allegations, “it certainly gives rise to the appearance of impropriety.”

She said Halcovage could have recused himself from the vote.

In regards to the allegations regarding Halcovage, Barron “Boots” Hetherington said the allegations are “serious” and he does not take them lightly. He would not comment further except to say his job is to “conduct the county’s business as to the best of my ability and continue to move us forward.”

Halcovage said he had no comment when asked if he would resign. Commissioner Gary Hess has previously said Halcovage should resign, something he still supports.