By a vote of 2-1, Schuylkill County Commissioners voted to approve a consulting contract with a Luzerne County man to provide oversight to the tax assessment office.

Commissioner Gary Hess voted no while Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and George Halcovage Jr. voted yes.

Anthony Alu, of Pittston, who worked in the Luzerne County tax prothonotary office and 20 years in the tax assessment office, retiring as chief assessor, started March 29. Hetherington said Alu has worked with Schuylkill County among others in a professional capacity. His rate of pay is $40 an hour for a limit of 105 hours a month plus mileage.

Alu will also provide training to new and existing employees, assist in hiring and transitioning to a new chief assessor and serve as the interim chief assessor.

Before the vote, first assistant solicitor Glenn Roth read a statement concerning the upcoming vote and the one last week that restructured the tax assessment and tax claim offices.

In part, the statement defined conflict of interest as defined by the Pennsylvania Ethics Act.

“Use by a public official or public employee of the authority of his office or employment or any confidential information received through his holding public office or employment for the private pecuniary benefit of himself, a member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated.”

Roth then cited case law to bolster his argument.

Melissa Melewsky, attorney with the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association, said previously the vote about the restructuring isn’t a state ethics act issue. 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.

Roth’s position didn’t sit well with Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Maria Casey who has been a frequent critic of Halcovage and the legal situation he and the county is dealing with.

Halcovage has been sued in federal court by four female county employees who alleged sexual harassment against him. Other defendants are named.

“This vote that you just did is totally illegal,” she said.

Casey then contested Roth’s reasoning.

She said the subject is not the private pecuniary interest cited in the ethics act but retaliation.

“Halcovage voted to take away salaries from two of his victims,” she said.

Casey then asked the commissioners to reverse the recent vote and the one involving the restructuring of the two offices.

“If not, I’m going to involve the federal authorities. We’re done here with this nonsense that goes on in this basement,” she said.

She said the lawsuit has a punitive damages clause meaning it’s not covered by insurance.

“To the extent a jury finds his conduct was willful and improper, and it was, he has to pay out of his own pocket, so he does have a private pecuniary interest in that vote. He definitely does. If he can squelch these two victims and maybe get them to withdraw the lawsuit that’s his benefit,” Casey said.