Clerk of Courts Maria Casey has filed a Right-to-Know request for information regarding the suspension of two women involved in the federal lawsuit involving Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr.

It is the policy of the Times News not to identify the names of the victims.

The RTK seeks the “time, date, and place of the meeting/s; the names of the members present, the substance of all official action taken during the meeting/s, and a record of how each individual voted.”

The minutes and/or transcripts, also the minutes and/or transcripts of all citizens who appeared officially and what they discussed are sought.

Emails, letters, texts and or correspondence about the suspension of the women are requested along with documents used in the investigation or decision.

The county responded by saying it needed additional time because of staffing limitations, a legal review is needed to determine if the information requested is subject to the RTK law and the “extent or nature of the request” prevents a response within the five-day time window. By Nov. 8 the county expects to respond, the letter says.

Two female county employees were suspended without pay last month.

Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said previously he didn’t want to discuss the issue because it is an ongoing investigation.

“This is a disciplinary action with personnel, so we are not going to comment on it,” he said.

Commissioner Gary Hess said there was a discussion but no vote happened.

A person who attended the meeting suspended the two women. He declined to name who but said it was an administrative decision.

Casey said at that private meeting a vote was taken violating the Sunshine Act.

First Assistant Solicitor Glenn Roth said no vote took place.

“No votes are ever taken at an executive session nor was a vote taken at that executive session. End of discussion,” Roth said.

A policy, 2005-19 on the county website titled conduct and disciplinary action, the most recent policy, identifies the procedure for disciplinary action.

There are four levels: verbal warning, written reprimand, suspension and termination. The policy says all disciplinary actions must be documented using a disciplinary action form.

The employee will be asked to sign the form, although they can refuse. Written comments are permitted.

Suspensions, which are without pay unless there are extenuating circumstances, typically for three days, the document states.