Lurie also noted the delay will also help because a separate witness for their defense will be traveling overseas due to a sudden death in that persons family. Thomas's law licensewas temporarily suspended by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, on Oct. 27. 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. What:State Supreme Court suspends Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas' law license, Why:Because of a new law, Somerset County DA Jeff Thomas is no longer receiving a paycheck, More:The latest on Somerset County DA: prohibited from any legal action in courthouse, protection order withdrawn. Itprecludes an individual from continuing to serve as district attorney without an active law license. Find 5 District Attorney Offices within 46.4 miles of Somerset County District Attorney. Prosecutors have already turned over that information to defense attorneys including all messages between the woman and Thomas and any messages referencing him to other people, as well as other messages, Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte said. Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. He discussed, however, the types of conduct that cancome under the commissions purview. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. 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. Privacy Policy Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. ", Even though the word in the state capital is that Wolf will sign the bill, he added: "Nothing is real until it is real.". Calls for district attorney's resignation? Business Directory; Dispatch Log & Jail Bookings; Somerset County Bicentennial; Activities; Since Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas II has been charged with felony rape, several questions have emerged about his position, according to court officials. William Clineof Somerset, a former county assistant district attorney in the early 2000s, and Sydney Benderof Patton, who is an associate attorney at the Law Office of Michael A. Sossong in Ebensburg, and has been a licensed attorney since 2015, are tobe paid $32,000 annually. Maloney, Maeghan District Attorney 207-474-2423 Maeghan is a graduate of Swarthmore and Harvard Law School. The board consists ofthe commissioners and Somerset County Treasurer Donna Matsko Schmitt. Suggest Listing 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. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. 420 into law that amended the state's county codes concerning qualification for the office of district attorney. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is committed to fulfilling these constitutional and statutory mandates as well as strengthening law enforcement's relations with the public, enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Somerset County, ensuring the rights of crime victims, to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect, are Thedisciplinary board does not issue information about the specifics of why a license is suspended. Haft wrote that despite the actions taken by the disciplinary board and county officials, Thomas remains the duly elected district attorney of Somerset County, and he was neither impeached nor did he resign the only permissible reasons to cut his pay, Haft argued. The act requires district attorneys to hold an active law license while in office. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. ", 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.". Tom Wolf on Nov. 17, amended the state's county codes concerning qualifications for the office of district attorney. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. "They've weaponized the laws meant to protect victims of domestic violence and manufactured a false claim (against me)," Thomas said last week of prosecutors from the state attorney general's office. A preliminary hearing for Amy Thomas has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Somerset County Courthouse before Judge Mark Bilik of Westmoreland County. After the notification and the responses, the disciplinary board mayschedule a hearing on the matter. Sun and clouds mixed. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. (814) 443-2894. Act 88 requires that each county attorney possesses an active law license. Nov. 17, 2021, Gov. 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.". High 63F. get driving directions from your location, US Department of Justice - US Attorneys Website, Somerset County Court Records (Pennsylvania), Somerset County Court of Common Pleas Court Records, Somerset County District Attorney Arraignment Records, Somerset County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court Website. 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. 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. And it could immediately affect the pay of Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas. 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. Amy Thomas, 36, is scheduled for a hearing the following week, on Oct. 25, on her charges from the Sept. 12 incident. The letter bears Thomas' signature under his office's letterhead and is dated Sept. 13 before the state Office of . In Somerville, 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. Though thedisciplinary board does not issue information about the specifics of why his license was suspended, Thomas has beenon a leave of absence since state police brought sexual assault-related charges against himin September. The charges were filed against her on Sept. 13 the same date listed on Thomass letter. My bill would also establish safeguards so that the office of district attorney would continue to operate uninterrupted in the event of a suspension of the law license or disbarment from the practice of law of a sitting district attorney.". Charged: Police: Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas showed up uninvited, raped Windber woman, Protection order: Hearing rescheduled against Somerset County DA Jeffrey Thomas. Neither of the judgeshas spoken publicly about the matter. Senate Bill No. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. "Due to the current circumstances surrounding the Somerset County district attorney, my wife is now serving as the acting DA," Metzgar wrote. 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. 2023 www.dailyamerican.com. Susan Mankamyer, of Boswell, is another of Somerset Countys district judges. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford), who abstained from voting for the bill, explained his position in the following statement. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes in the following cities and towns: Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica . Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera referred to Sen. Bill No. 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. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. (Interim State's Attorney, Sept. 1, 2017 to Jan. 7, 2019). The county was served notice of the lawsuit Tuesday, Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera said. Your Profile? Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. But in a previous motion, the pair wrote that recent information provided to them was reviewed by independent doctors who agreed that a specialized expert witness was needed to testify about the matter. 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. He has not been able to work as an attorney for 10 months but was given approval this summer to work at his father's auto garage while on electronic monitoring. Elk, Fayette, Mifflin, Montgomery, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, and Wyoming counties. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. It will assure the citizens that the integrity expected in the office of District Attorney is maintained," Yaw said. Thomasdecided to go ona leave of absence to prepare for his case after state police brought sexual assault-related charges against himin September, according to his attorney,Ryan Tutera of Pittsburgh. District Attorney District Attorney's Office 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Ph: 207-474-2423 Fx: 207-474-7407 Staff Directory. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas arrives for his preliminary hearing at the Somerset County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Jeffrey Thomas Pittsburgh-based defense attorney, Ryan Tutera, declined comment when reached about the letter. 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. Using the official letterhead of. He is charged with rape, indecent assault, strangulation, simple assault and criminal trespass. The District Attorney heads the Somerville Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. 420 would amend Pennsylvania's county codes concerning qualifications for the office of district attorney. 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