Using the officialletterhead of his office, Jeff Thomaswrote a memo to Segerdated Sept. 13 informing him that the district attorney'soffice was dropping the charges against AmyThomas. Attorneys from the state Office of Attorney General who are prosecuting sexual assault and strangulation charges against Thomas told the judge Friday they had no objection to defense attorneys receiving more time. Tom Wolf's desk as early as Monday. The beginning: Election 2019 provides a few upsets, other surprises, Unfolding: Attorney general's office amends charges against Somerset County district attorney, You and yours: Why Pa. municipalities, schools must make agendas public prior to meetings. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. "Because of this, the Speaker of the (House) and I agreed that I was unable to vote on the matter pursuant to our House rules. A letter to District Judge Bill Seger of Windber indicates that Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas attempted to intervene in his wife's case. It is not known if the letter, which was released to The Tribune-Democrat on Friday by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, is part of the criminal investigation into an allegation that Jeffrey Thomas raped a Windber woman inside her home on Sept. 18. Court records show Cambria County President Judge Norman A. Krumenacker III issued an order naming Blair County defense attorney Thomas Dickey to represent the suspended prosecutor in the domestic case against him. As with any pending litigation, I cannot comment on it," Barbera said, "but obviously, the county will be filing a response.". Though the letter was initially writtento Seger, the Windber judge's name is manually scratched out and replaced with a handwritten "Mankamyer," which appears to refer to Judge Susan Mankamyerof Boswell. Find 7 external resources related to Somerset County District Attorney. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Roles are changing in the Somerset County District Attorney's Office, which is welcoming some new personnel. You have permission to edit this article. He said the county will review the suit and file a response within the court-mandated 20-day time frame. The Somerset County District Attorney, located in Skowhegan, ME, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Skowhegan government. First Assistant District Attorney Molly Metzgar has taken over the duties of district attorney since Thomas took a leave of absence to work on the matter of criminal charges. The letter bears Thomas' signature under his office's letterhead and is dated Sept. 13 before the state Office of . What:State Supreme Court suspends Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas' law license, Latest:The latest on Somerset County DA: prohibited from any legal action in courthouse, protection order withdrawn, Facing:Attorney general's office amends charges against Somerset County district attorney, State Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland), who voted for the bill, said basically the law is in a place of "all procedural. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Staff Directory | ME-Somerset County, Maine | Official Website Please send a message to it@somersetcounty-me.org if you're having trouble with our website. The District Attorney heads the Somerville Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. Somerset County District Attorney - Somerset, PA. Suite 40 111 E Union St Somerset, PA 15501 - 1416. Find 6 District Attorney Offices within 46.4 miles of Somerset County District Attorney. Their review included messages sent between Thomas and the alleged victim and conversations sent from the womans phone to other people. By doing soThomas has said he is not guilty of the crime. By that point, Thomas had already taken a voluntary leave from his role overseeing the Somerset County District Attorney's Office, but continued receiving his pay for his $185,000-a-year job. Jeffrey Thomas waived all . The case is currently in the early stages of moving toward trial. Creany indicated he will review the conversations in question and listen to each sides arguments before deciding whether those messages are relevant. But the Somerset County Courthouse is a county building. The bill came to fruition at the beginning of the year as part of criminal justice administrative reform, according to Matt Osenbach, legislative director for Yaw's office. His pay was also suspended by Somerset Countys Salary Board last fall. It is expected to be on Gov. . SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A Somerset County man is facing a slew of felony charges after authorities said he sold meth and heroin in the area over the past several years. The bill specifically pinpoints district attorneys, Osenbach said, partly because a "district attorney is held to a higher standard.". ", Rule 1.7 of professional conduct for lawyers states that a "concurrent conflict of interest exists if there is a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person or by a personal interest of the lawyer.". ", Even though the word in the state capital is that Wolf will sign the bill, he added: "Nothing is real until it is real.". Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. "I'm looking forward to working with the new hires to fill out the team.". County solicitor Michael Barbera saidthe suspension of Thomas's pay and all benefits, including insurance, took effectNov. 26 when First Assistant District Attorney Molly Metzgar was sworn in as the acting district attorney. About Us Contact Us . "Ithink that by itself is enough to raise a significant question," Davis said in reference to the letter. Follow Judy D.J. Since September, Thomas has been fighting charges of sexual assault, with the Pennsylvania Office ofAttorney Generalis prosecuting the case. Election 2019 provides a few upsets, other surprises, Attorney general's office amends charges against Somerset County district attorney, Why Pa. municipalities, schools must make agendas public prior to meetings, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. They cited guidance from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association in backing their move, including a five-page letter describing the newly passed Act 88 as "constitutional.". Somerset County D.A. A day after the disciplinary counsel's ruling, Somerset County President Judge D. Gregory Geary issued an administrative order that galvanized the temporary suspension of the law license of Thomas. The order prohibits Thomas performing any legal actions in the courthouse and basically reduced his presence to that of an observer. Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. David Hurst, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, Several families impacted after fire destroys apartment building in Longmont, Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, Teacher accused of hiding recording devices in school bathrooms, Teen last seen at mall is missing, Newington police say, Journal Sentinel reporters recognized nationally for coverage of health issues. Ellich on Twitter at @dajudye. Support Staff Child Support Unit: 30500 Prince William St.Princess Anne, Md. Thomas's total pay for 2021 was scheduled to be$185,665. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. In Somerset, the District Attorney plays a central role in criminal cases, working with police to decide whether to bring charges and prosecuting the case in court. If Thomas's law license suspension is revoked by the disciplinary board and ratified by the state Supreme Court, then Metzgar will no longer be acting district attorney andwouldreturn to the first assistantposition. "It would certainly be no surprise if the office of disciplinarycounsel is looking into it. In a Nov. 29 letter to Somerset County solicitor Michael Barbera,the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association noted that there is no state law makinga "distinction regarding salary or anything else for that matter between an 'acting' district attorney who serves pursuant to Act 88, and a district attorney who serves pursuant to an election other type of appointment.". What I mean by that is conflict of interest, as it is defined in the ethics act, is when the public official uses the authority of their position to gain financial benefit or financial benefit for a family member," Caruso said. A bill introduced by a Lycoming County Republican state senator in early 2021 after a northern Pennsylvania prosecutor was charged with unrelated sex crimes was signed into law in November 2021, requiring elected prosecutors to hold active law licenses while in office. The Daily American obtained a copy of the letter from the county by filing a Right-to-Know request. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. All Rights Reserved. Thomas is accused of assaulting his wife last year on the way home from a Johnstown bar an act both he and his wife maintain did not occur. About Us Contact Us Somerset County Salary Board members, who alsomet Tuesday, voted to pay Metzgar the same as what was being paid to Thomas, which is a little more than $7,000 per pay period. A Westmoreland County woman who said she witnessed the act during a FaceTime video call with Amy Thomas that night contends otherwise. Jeffrey Thomas Pittsburgh-based defense attorney, Ryan Tutera, declined comment when reached about the letter. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst. She has served as a Deputy District Attorney, Assistant Attorney General and as the State Representative for House District 57, serving on the Judiciary Committee. Thomas's law. Suspended Somerset DA's sexual assault trial continued to 2023. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. Thomas's total pay for 2021 was scheduled to be $185,665. All Rights Reserved. The county was served notice of the lawsuit Tuesday, Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera said. The law, identified as. Sun and clouds mixed. I do thank my colleagues for their support and would have voted for the measure if I was able to.". Also on Tuesday, two new part-time assistant district attorneys were hired to be part of the county's prosecutorialteam. Thomas was elected as Somerset Countys district attorney in 2019, but cannot oversee the office or operate as an attorney due to a state law and the fact his law license is suspended indefinitely. Thomas has been charged with sexual assault in a case that is now in the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas since Thomas's attorney waived his client's appearance in an arraignment hearing at the trial court level. Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A discovery motion was filed last week a common step seeking information gathered by prosecutors while building their case. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes in the following cities and towns: Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica . Act 88 requires that each county attorney possesses an active law license. On Tuesday, the Somerset County Commissioners acknowledged Thomas's suspension from his role as district attorney and the county salary board approved halting his paycheck and benefits because of the suspension based on a new state law. Somerset County's salary board Commissioners Gerald Walker, Colleen Dawson and Pamela Tokar-Ickes, as well as then-Treasurer Donna Matsko-Schmitt halted his paychecks after the law was signed. All Rights Reserved. Crisfield-Somerset County Airport Advisory Board. Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. 420 when asked if the county was going to address the pay for Thomas since he has been shut out of any legal work in the courthouse and his office until the criminal case against him is resolved. The lawsuit may be the first legal challenge to the state's District Attorney Modernization Act, which Somerset County officials pointed to as a law they had to comply with when they took the step to suspend Thomas' pay in 2021. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. October 19, 2021 / 5:10 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. 2023 County Office. The county commissioners promoted Thomas Leiden of Ebensburg, aformer Cambria County solicitor and assistant district attorney, from part-time district attorney in Somerset County to full-time assistant district attorney effective Tuesday at $59,703 annually. According to court dockets, the rule to show cause means that a lawyer must respond to the disciplinary arm of the state Supreme Courton an inquiry ofa matter brought before it, usually it in the form of a complaint about a lawyer's conduct. Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera referred to Sen. Bill No. Though it's unclear whether that correspondenceis part of pending proceedings against Jeff Thomas by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, some legal experts believe it could be deemed inappropriate. Wolf has the option of signing the bill into law, vetoing the bill or letting it ride for 10 days at which point it will automatically become Pennsylvania law. Your Profile? First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The District Attorney heads the Skowhegan Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. Ellich on Twitter at @dajudye. The District Attorney heads the Somerville Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. The changes were approved by members of the county salary board Tuesday. The bill addresses what happens to district attorneys who havetheir law licensesuspended or become disbarred. Segers office has referred comments about both the existence of the letter and the Thomas case to the Office of Attorney General. Krumenacker had no additional comment on the matter. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Do you plan to save or spend your 2022 income tax refund. the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, State Supreme Court suspends Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas' law license, Because of a new law, Somerset County DA Jeff Thomas is no longer receiving a paycheck, The latest on Somerset County DA: prohibited from any legal action in courthouse, protection order withdrawn, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "The bill provides needed uniformity and efficiency to current law and for those who discharge the duties of the office. View map of Somerset County District Attorney, and get driving directions from your location. Using the official letterhead of. The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas repeatedly contacted a woman and then entered her Windber home uninvited on Saturday before raping her, according to police. Thomas' suit is seeking for his regular pay and benefits to be restored as well as all back pay he has lost since last fall to be awarded to him. Act 88 of 2021, signed into law by Pennsylvania Gov. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. First Assistant District Attorney Molly Metzgar, who was part-time, was formally re-assigned to the role of acting district attorney Friday. The first assistant district attorney would become the acting district attorney pending reinstatement of the elected district attorney, or until the end of the elected district attorneys current term. Terms and Conditions. By Todd Berkey tberkey@tribdem.com. SOMERSET, Pa. - Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey L. Thomas sought to have charges against his wife dropped last month, soon after she was accused by Windber police of assaulting. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Somerset County District Attorney, a District Attorney Office, at Court Street, Skowhegan ME. In a suit filed Tuesday, a Pittsburgh law firm alleges the state Constitution protects elected district attorneys from having their pay "diminished" while in office. In situations when a public defender deems someone is not qualified or signals that there is a conflict preventing them from representing a client, the county's president judge has a final say. Copyright 2022 Somerset County, MD. SOMERSET, Pa. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey L. Thomas sought to have charges against his wife dropped last month, soon after she was accused by Windber police of assaulting him during a domestic dispute, a letter obtained by The Tribune-Democrat indicates. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. 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