The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a ruling involving women in the George Halcovage Jr. lawsuit.

Dated Sept. 30, the determination says in part “there is reasonable cause to believe that respondent (Schuylkill County) subjected charging party, and a class of females, to sexual harassment and created hostile work environment based on their sex and retaliation, and failed to institute proper policies and procedures to ensure that the harassment and retaliation ceased.”

Furthermore, it says “the evidence reviewed indicates that respondent knew or should have known of Commissioner Chairman George Halcovage’s harassing and unprofessional conduct prior to charging party’s formal complaint, but failed to take reasonable or timely action to prevent Halcovage from engaging in further harassment.

“The record indicates that Halcovage engaged in egregious sexual harassment and created a hostile work environment for a class of female employees, including but not limited to coercing subordinate employees to perform sexual acts, discussing the personal sex lives of subordinate employees, propositioning co-workers and subordinate employees, and lying during the course of the internal investigation of his conduct,” the decision reads.

It says it can be inferred Halcovage did the aforementioned action since “at least 2018, and that even after his conduct had been formally reported and corroborated, respondent failed to take reasonable or timely action to prevent Halcovage from having further contact with the victims, or from engaging in continuing harassment and intimidation tactics.”

Both parties, if they wish to reach a joint resolution to resolve the unlawful employment practices, have 10 days from Sept. 30 to contact a senior investigator.

The letter is signed by Dana. R. Hutter, Deputy District Director for the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission Philadelphia District Office.

No comment

The commissioners and County Administrator Gary Bender were not in the office when called Friday. Solicitor Alvin Marshall and First Assistant Solicitor Glenn Roth were also not available.

Attorney Nicole Ippolito, who represents Roth, did not return a call. Attorney Matthew Connell, who represents Halcovage in his official capacity, did not return a call. Attorney Christopher Scott, representing the defendants did not return a call.

Halcovage, who has been commissioner since 2012, has been sued in federal court by four women, all Schuylkill Count employees, who have accused him of sexual harassment. Their names are not identified 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.

Plaintiffs speak

Catherine Smith, attorney for the women, had this statement via email:

“We here at the Derek Smith Law Group intend to prove that since his election to the position of Commissioner, Defendant Halcovage has engaged in severe and pervasive sexual harassment, sexual assault, discrimination and retaliation. On June 30, 2020, the Office of the County Solicitor issued a press release which indicated the county, after internal investigation, believed Defendant Halcovage violated three Schuylkill County polices, including the Sexual Harassment Policy and Physical and Verbal Abuse Policy. Despite the County’s belief espoused in said press relief, defendant Halcovage’s conduct continues to have an impact on the victims. In our opinion, it has also impacted the operations of County Departments which has resulted in negative consequences for the citizens of Schuylkill County.”

Smith says “contrary to the statements included in the above press release, we believe county officials have not taken the legally required steps to accommodate the victims to ensure that they feel comfortable at work. Rather, it is our opinion that the county officials have continued to permit unlawful conduct on the part of defendant Halcovage, aided and abetted him, emboldened him, and retaliated against the Plaintiffs in this matter. We intend to prove, the action of these county officials were undertaken with the intent of silencing defendant Halcovage’s victims and in an effort to deter them from speaking out about the unlawful conduct they were subjected to,” she said.

She said her clients “will not stand by and permit such actions. As such they bought, and will continue to bring the unlawful conduct within Schuylkill County to light. These brave survivors, as do all individuals regardless of their political affiliation or gender, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. What they have had to suffer is simply unacceptable. My clients and I are confident the truth will be exposed, and we look forward to presenting there claims in court.”