Three women holding placards picketed outside the Schuylkill County Courthouse on Wednesday against Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr.

The signs read “How much more will we pay for the choir boy George & his sexual deviance?”, “Who’$e paying for George’s lawyer? You are!”, and “We shall overcome.”

Halcovage is accused of sexually harassing four women who work at the courthouse. They filed a federal lawsuit against him in March 2021. An addition, filed in October 2021, alleges he and others retaliated against the women for filing the first suit.

Two of the women were suspended without pay in September 2021 after being accused of using the county’s sophisticated software for unauthorized searches.

The suit continues to wend its way through U.S. District Court, Scranton.

“We’re just bringing awareness to what’s happening. Anyone who is just tired of the situation and would like to see it end is welcome to join us,” said organizer Lisa Nagele Hollenbach.

Halcovage declined to comment, citing the confidentiality order imposed by the federal judge presiding over the lawsuit.

Hollenbach said courthouse visitors reacted well to the group.

“We were getting thumbs up. People were cheering us on. People were very much in support,” she said. “It was nice to get the feedback.”

The women held a few protests last year. Hollenbach said they were typically held on Saturdays, so more people would be able to join in. She took off work on Wednesday, the day when commissioners held their weekly meeting, to lead this one.

“This round is even more frustrating. We’ve seen the situation escalate,” she said.

In addition to the lawsuit, Halcovage is the subject of impeachment hearings in the state legislature.

The hearings began and ended last fall, and have yet to resume.

“There’s no shortage of audacity. He’s back on the ballot,” Hollenbach said.

She said that although there are no definite dates yet, another protest is in the works, probably to be held sometime before Memorial Day.