The state Office of the Attorney General has ruled that no criminal charges should be filed against Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. for a vulgar remark he allegedly made to two courthouse employees about Clerk of Courts Maria Casey in 2019.

The remark was “inappropriate and unprofessional,” according to the county Human resources director.

District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake said Thursday the complaint was forwarded to him by the county Human Resources office in April 2021, two weeks after it was filed. He forwarded it to the state Office of the Attorney General.

He said the state office found the incident did not warrant criminal charges.

Efforts to reach Clerk of Courts Maria T. Casey were unsuccessful Thursday.

Human Resources Director Heidi L. Zula said that on the advice of the county solicitor’s office, she was not able to legally release the correspondence to the public.

However, details of the incident surfaced at a public commissioners’ meeting Wednesday when former Mount Carbon Mayor Jeffrey Dunkel read aloud the complaint and Zula’s response.

The complaint was emailed to Human Resources on April 9, 2021, with the subject as “sexual assault threat.”

“It has come to my attention that George Halcovage made a remark to (two people) that he would like to (vulgar description of a sexual act). This is so disgusting and threatening that there needs to be immediate action soon,” Dunkel read.

Two weeks later, Dunkel said, Zula emailed her reply to Casey’s complaint.

He read the response.

“Maria, an investigation was conducted into the complaint you filed on April 9, 2021.

“In your complaint, you allege that Mr. Halcovage made a derogatory and threatening remark about you to two county employees.

“During the investigation, I interviewed all parties involved, including you and Commissioner Halcovage.

Based upon the findings of the investigation, it has been determined that sometime in June 2019 or prior, Commissioner Halcovage made a comment about you to two county employees that could be construed as being inappropriate and unprofessional for the workplace.

“Appropriate action has been taken to ensure that such conduct does not occur in the workplace in the future.

“In addition, as you requested, your complaint was forward to District Attorney Michael O’Pake for his review of possible criminal violations as it relates to this incident.

If you experience any further issues, please let me know.”

The two employees to whom Halcovage allegedly made the remark were county Tax Claim Director Angela Toomey and Assistant Director Denise McGinley-Gerchak, who are among four women working in the courthouse who in March 2021 filed a federal lawsuit against Halcovage for sexual harassment.

The case is expected to be heard in September.