Schuylkill County released the final letter the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce gave to Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. after the Times News filed a Right-to-Know request.

In the July 6 letter provided Aug. 11, it advises Halcovage he is “not allowed to appear at any private events of the Chamber and if you chose to do so, you will not be recognized, allowed to speak, and be respectfully asked to leave.”

“You are also hereby being given formal notice in writing that if you appear at a public event sponsored by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, understanding that we have no authority over attendance at public places, you will not be recognized or called upon to speak or included in any public picture taken, intended for the use by the media invited or in any publication developed or within the authority and control of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce,” the letter reads.

Halcovage is told “the federal and state laws make it clear that sexual harassment and sexual assault by development of laws is a zero tolerance offense. Therefore, your current situation is compromising in nature both to yourself and to your presence and participation in Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce events.”

The chamber believes in “innocent until proven guilty” and is not judging the current allegations, it says.

Furthermore, it says the action taken by the board executive committee is regrettable but necessary.

“We are taking this action, because to not take it, is perceived as placing some of our members in compromised positions, some very counter to their business or nonprofit missions, values and beliefs. These actions also need to be put in place in support for all victims of sexual assault and harassment. We find it unfortunate that as a public official, you have not felt the need to consider the well-being of others and how your presence at past and future events might be negatively perceived.”

The letter was given to Halcovage after he attended a Schuylkill leadership class in Tamaqua in June unannounced and was given the chance to speak by Robert S. Carl, president and CEO of the organization. Carl revived “multiple phone calls and emails” about Halcovage’s attendance at the event and his ability to speak to attendees. This is not first time this has taken place, the letter reads.

It is signed by all eight members of the executive committee. Copies were also sent to Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and Gary Hess, county administrator Gary Bender, solicitor Glenn Roth, and chief clerk Linda Deatrich.

Legal troubles

Halcovage, who has been commissioner since 2012, has been sued in federal court by four women, all Schuylkill County employees, who have accused him of sexual harassment. Their names are not in the lawsuit, but they are identified as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4. Other defendants are also named in the suit,

Numerous county and state leaders have called for Halcovage to resign. The county’s solicitor’s office and Human Resources investigated and determined that he violated three county policies, sexual harassment, conduct and discipline, and physical and verbal abuse. The investigation found that if he was an employee, he would be suspended and recommended he be terminated.

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously called for an investigation of Halcovage in June. The resolution calls for the start of an investigation as to “whether an impeachment or removal from office is required due to alleged misbehavior in office and violation of public trust.”