The wife of Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas was cleared of assault charges against her husband during her preliminary hearing Wednesday. The bill addresses what happens to district attorneys who havetheir law licensesuspended or become disbarred. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Assistant State's Attorney, 2011-15, and Deputy State's Attorney, 2015-17, Somerset County. 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a paycheck, The latest on Somerset County DA: prohibited from any legal action in courthouse, protection order withdrawn, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Privacy Policy 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. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Somerset County District Attorney, a District Attorney Office, at Court Street, Skowhegan ME. Rain likely. Their review included messages sent between Thomas and the alleged victim and conversations sent from the womans phone to other people. Popularity:#2 of 67 District Attorney Offices in Pennsylvania#198 in District Attorney Offices. Privacy Policy Itprecludes an individual from continuing to serve as district attorney without an active law license. Maloney, Maeghan District Attorney 207-474-2423 Maeghan is a graduate of Swarthmore and Harvard Law School. View map of Somerset County Prosecuting Attorney, and get driving directions from your location. The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. 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. 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. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes in the following cities and towns: Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica . Thedisciplinary board does not issue information about the specifics of why a license is suspended. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Somerset County District Attorney, a District Attorney Office, at Court Street, Skowhegan ME. There are two procedures the bill explores. "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. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 2023 County Office. You may not use this site for the purposes of furnishing consumer reports about search subjects or for any use prohibited by the FCRA. 0:36. Elk, Fayette, Mifflin, Montgomery, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, and Wyoming counties. 420 into law that amended the state's county codes concerning qualification for the office of district attorney. "Please accept this correspondence as the Somerset County District Attorney's Office request to withdraw the pending criminal charges in the above-captioned matter," JeffThomas had written. Address and Phone Number for Somerset County District Attorney, a District Attorney Office, at East Union Street, Somerset PA. View map of Somerset County District Attorney, and get driving directions from your location. 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 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. 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. Find 6 District Attorney Offices within 46.4 miles of Somerset County District Attorney. . 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Amy Thomas faces charges of simple assault and harassment. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association stated in a letter to Barbera, who received it Monday evening, that Metzgar "is entitled as a matter of law to receive the same compensation (as Thomas received).". Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. The case is currently in the early stages of moving toward trial. Attorneys Ryan Tutera and Eric Jackson Lurie did not go into detail in court Friday about the specifics of the medical review. Find 7 external resources related to Somerset County District Attorney. A "rule to show cause" has been in place for Thomas since Sept. 30. The attorney called the county's move illegal. Metzgar's position as first assistant assistant district attorney is toremain vacant. Support Staff Child Support Unit: 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. Name Somerset County District Attorney Address 41 Court Street Skowhegan, Maine, 04976 Phone 207-474-2423 Fax 207-474-7407 The order prohibits Thomas performing any legal actions in the courthouse and basically reduced his presence to that of an observer. Oct. 8SOMERSET 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. Thomas sought help after his initial attorney in that case, Joe Otte, was given court approval in August to step down from the case for reasons protected by attorney-client privilege. Jeffrey Thomas arrives at the Somerset County Courthouse for his preliminary hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Terms and Conditions. Rain likely. The Pennsylvania State Police said the Somerset County district attorney, Jeffrey L. Thomas, was charged with rape, indecent and simple assault, strangulation and criminal trespass in. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. To qualify for public-paid representation, an individual first must file an application with the public defender's office in the county where he or she is charged, outlining his or her financial status, Cambria County Public Defender Maribeth Schaffer said. Nov. 17, 2021, Gov. Follow Judy D.J. 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.". Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. In the meantime, the short-staffed district attorney's office which still does not have a clerk has added hires and seen changed roles for those who remain. Since the lawmakers present in both chambers ofthe Pennsylvania General Assemblyvoted unanimously for the bill, it is unlikely that the governor would veto the bill, since the lawmakers easily could override his veto. October 19, 2021 / 5:10 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Thomas was elected as Somerset County's 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. The county courts, up to this point, have sought outside judges to handle matters involving Thomas in order to avoid conflicts of interest, because he handled cases through the local court system for two years in his role as district attorney. "Due to the current circumstances surrounding the Somerset County district attorney, my wife is now serving as the acting DA," Metzgar wrote. Prosecutors dismissed the idea, saying that only private information such as medical information or a social security number has been redacted and should remain that way for privacy reasons. His pay was also suspended by Somerset Countys Salary Board last fall. But the defenses approved request for a continuance enabled the delay to occur. Neither of the judgeshas spoken publicly about the matter. "Ithink that by itself is enough to raise a significant question," Davis said in reference to the letter. 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. State police charged Thomas, of Windber, with rape, indecent assault,. Home | Staff Directory | District Attorney's Office District Attorney's Office Physical Address: 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Phone: 207-474-2423 Fax: 207-474-7407 Display # Sen. Bill No. 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. Services for Citizens. Tom Wolf on Nov. 17, amended the state's county codes concerning qualifications for the office of district attorney. On Oct. 27,the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania listed the law license of District Attorney Jeff Thomas as temporarily suspended,but did not name the cause for that action. The board consists ofthe commissioners and Somerset County Treasurer Donna Matsko Schmitt. 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. Sun and clouds mixed. Privacy Policy Robert Caruso, executive director, State Ethics Commission, said he can't addressspecific cases or situationsunless his agency has issued adjudication against aperson. Suggest Listing Somerset County District Court: 410-845-4700: Somerset County Parole & Probation: 410-651-2211: . The bill requires a district attorney to hold an active law license while in office. Find Court Records related to Somerset County District Attorney. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. 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. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas arrives for his preliminary hearing at the Somerset County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. About Us Contact Us "The bill provides needed uniformity and efficiency to current law and for those who discharge the duties of the office. I do thank my colleagues for their support and would have voted for the measure if I was able to.". County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. "The District Attorney's Office, although located in the courthouse, is not under county commissioners' supervision, nor is it part of the . 420 wouldamendPennsylvania's county codes concerning qualifications for the office of district attorney. Using the official letterhead of. The delay also means that, barring a resolution to the case prior to trial, the Thomas case would linger into the election year for his county district attorneys office seat. Name Somerset County State Attorney Suggest Edit Address 30500 Prince William Street Princess Anne , Maryland , 21853 Phone 410-651-3333 Fax 410-651-3453 Map of Somerset County State Attorney You have permission to edit this article. Suggest Listing Thomas, 36 . Chance of rain 70%. Somerset County District Attorney's Office Mar 2020 - Oct 2021 1 year 8 months. 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. It will assure the citizens that the integrity expected in the office of District Attorney is maintained," Yaw said. 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. Creany also set a conference in September to review excerpts from 800 pages of text messages that the attorney generals office looked through during its investigation. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. Investigators said Thomas strangled her during the act before she was able to escape and that he agreed to leave after she promised she would not contact the police. Ellich on Twitter at @dajudye. Follow Judy D.J. "It would certainly be no surprise if the office of disciplinarycounsel is looking into it. The bill specifically pinpoints district attorneys, Osenbach said, partly because a "district attorney is held to a higher standard.". Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. The act requires district attorneys to hold an active law license while in office. 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. Senate Bill No. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. And it could immediately affect the pay of Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas. 2023 www.dailyamerican.com. Copyright 2022 Somerset County, MD. Conflicts of interestwith the ethics law, he added,area little different from what the standard conflict of interest might be. Independent Court-Appointed Conflict Counsel Somerset County Sep 2013 - Mar 2020 6 years 7 . He said the county will review the suit and file a response within the court-mandated 20-day time frame. Member, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, Somerset County, 2017-. ", 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.". "I'm looking forward to working with the new hires to fill out the team.". 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. William Cline of Somerset, a former county assistant district attorney in the early 2000s, and Sydney Bender of 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 to be paid $32,000 annually. "With these hires, Molly has put us in position to succeed here," Leiden said. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst. He now works as anadjunct professor at Widener Law Commonwealth, where heteaches professional responsibility and ethics. 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. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. 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.. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Act 88 of 2021, signed into law by Pennsylvania Gov. Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. 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. His attorney, Ryan Tutera of Pittsburgh, returned a phone call requesting comment on the letter, but had no comment on the matter. Roles are changing in the Somerset County District Attorney's Office, which is welcoming some new personnel. The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. Tutera has told reporters that Jeffrey Thomas is taking a leave of absence from his post, but not resigning. 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. The Somerset County Prosecuting Attorney, located in Somerville, NJ, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Somerville government. Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. (814) 443-2894. 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. And even though a state law approved in 2021 after Thomas' law license was suspended prohibits elected prosecutors from serving while their licenses are suspended, that change was not retroactive, Pittsburgh attorney Richard Haft wrote. The law also provides that in a case of temporary suspension, such as the sanction Thomas received, the first assistant will act as district attorney if willing, qualified and able. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is taking up a case against the wife of Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas stemming from a domestic incident last month.. Senior Judge . The law, identified as. Ellich on Twitter at @dajudye. The District Attorney heads the Somerset Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. (Interim State's Attorney, Sept. 1, 2017 to Jan. 7, 2019). District Attorney District Attorney's Office 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Ph: 207-474-2423 Fx: 207-474-7407 Staff Directory. Citizens charged with crimes have a constitutional right to an attorney in the United States. 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. "(Thomas) believes and avers that the defendants' action in stripping away pay and benefits was done without due process of law, as (Thomas) has maintained his innocence relating to all charges against him," the lawsuit says. Senate Bill No. The otheris if the district attorney's law license is disbarred. 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. Updated: 08/03/2006. The Somerset County District Attorney, located in Somerset, PA, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Somerset government. 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. 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. get driving directions from your location, US Department of Justice - US Attorneys Website. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. "The Luzerne County District Attorney's Office is proud to join the statewide Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI) program. 2023 County Office. The county was served notice of the lawsuit Tuesday, Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera said. You have permission to edit this article. Ellich contributed to this article. Follow him on Twitter@TDDavidHurstand Instagram@TDDavidHurst. The charges were filed against her on Sept. 13 the same date listed on Thomass letter. 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. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 410-651-9225: Somerset County State's Attorney's Office: 410-651-3333: Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Caruso said hiscommission can look at that kind of conduct that could lead to an allegation of conflict-of-interest under the ethics law.". Thomas's law licensewas temporarily suspended by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, on Oct. 27. The District Attorney heads the Somerville Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. Share this page on your favorite Social network. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General received jurisdiction this week to prosecute the domestic assault case, as well as the separate rape case filed a week later against Jeffrey Thomas. There was a problem saving your notification. 21853 Phone: 410.651.3333 Fax: 410.651.3453 Attorneys. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Jeffrey Thomas Pittsburgh-based defense attorney, Ryan Tutera, declined comment when reached about the letter. Krumenacker had no additional comment on the matter. You may not use this site for the purposes of furnishing consumer reports about search subjects or for any use prohibited by the FCRA. In the case of disbarment, avacancy will be created that would be filled under current state law. All Rights Reserved. Suspended Somerset DA's sexual assault trial continued to 2023. Terms and Conditions. Court-appointed Senior Judge Timothy Creany granted Thomas attorneys motion to delay the case until Jan. 9, granting them time to obtain an expert medical report they said will be essential to defending him in court. Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. District Attorneys in Pennsylvania interested in starting a PA LETI program should contact the Office of . 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. 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. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. 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. District Attorney District Attorney's Office 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Ph: 207-474-2423 Fx: 207-474-7407 Staff Directory. Thomas's law. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). That step will now have to be conducted again in early November as a preliminary step toward seating a panel of 12 jurors in January, he said. By Todd Berkey tberkey@tribdem.com. The letter is addressed to District Judge William Seger at his Windber office, although Segers name and address are crossed out and the name Mankamyer is handwritten next to them. The letter bears Thomas' signature under his office's letterhead and is dated Sept. 13 before the state Office of . Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas bond conditions in Cambria County were modified on Tuesday, allowing him to resume communication with his wife. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. Jeffrey Thomas waived all . Wess Garner - State's Attorney Kendra Hayward - Deputy State's Attorney Kristen Boston - Assistant State's Attorney Brittany Collins - Assistant State's Attorney. 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. As of June, Cambria County's pay schedule for court- appointed attorneys shows Dickey would earn $75 an hour for his work a fraction of the rate lawyers often collect representing clients in criminal cases. A discovery motion was filed last week a common step seeking information gathered by prosecutors while building their case. All rights reserved. SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Somerset County district attorney will face a jury of his peers with additional charges. The District Attorney heads the Skowhegan Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. 2023 www.dailyamerican.com. . Thomas was on house arrest for part of the year and told court officials in Somerset County that he couldn't "fend for himself" or his family in May. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is taking a leave of absence from his post to focus on the criminal case against him, but he is not resigning, his attorney said Friday..