The deadline has passed for conciliation in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decision involving Schuylkill County and the four women involved in the federal lawsuit against Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr.

Both parties interested had until 10 days past the Sept. 30 letter by Dana R. Hutter, Deputy District Director of the EEOC Philadelphia District Office.

The topic came up at Wednesday’s weekly commissioner meeting.

“The time frame for the EEOC letter expired on Oct. 10. I was just curious, which I know you’re not going to respond. I’m curious if there was a response on behalf of the county,” said Jeff Dunkel, a Palo Alto resident.

“Once again, Mr. Dunkel, that’s pending litigation we are not going to respond,” Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said.

Hutter wrote if the county “fails to engage in conciliation, or if the commission determines in its sole discretion that conciliation has failed, the Deputy Director will inform the parties and advise them of the court enforcement alternatives available to aggrieved persons and the commission.”

The letter said “the evidence reviewed indicates that respondent (the county) 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.”

Furthermore, 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.”

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 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 named in the suit.

Attorney Christopher Scott, who represents the defendants, declined to comment on the EEOC deadline.

Catherine Smith, attorney for the four women, said she could provide no information about the EEOC deadline.

David Cha, senior investigator, did not respond to an email.