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. 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.. "I think it certainly raises the issue of whether or not that action constitutes a conflict of interest under the Rules of Professional Conduct," said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. The bill clarifies what happens in a case of suspension. 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. The law, identified as Act 88 of 2021, will more than likely mean that Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas will stop receiving a paycheck from his present employer. High 63F. Wess Garner - State's Attorney Kendra Hayward - Deputy State's Attorney Kristen Boston - Assistant State's Attorney Brittany Collins - Assistant State's Attorney. Neither of the judgeshas spoken publicly about the matter. Suggest Listing Suggest Listing Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas was arrested Wednesday after police say he raped a woman. SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Somerset County district attorney will face a jury of his peers with additional charges. Sun and clouds mixed. Windber police allege that Amy Thomas scratched her husband and jumped onto his car to prevent him from leaving their home on Sept. 12. Services for Citizens. Their review included messages sent between Thomas and the alleged victim and conversations sent from the womans phone to other people. In a suit filed Tuesday, a Pittsburgh law. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. 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. Somerset County District Attorney - Somerset, PA. Suite 40 111 E Union St Somerset, PA 15501 - 1416. 0:36. Office of State's Attorney 30500 Prince William St., Princess Anne, MD 21853 . Crisfield-Somerset County Airport Advisory Board. Last fall, state police charged Thomas with felony sexual assault and other offenses, saying he entered an acquaintances Windber home despite warnings to stay away. 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.". David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. 30500 Prince William St. Princess Anne, Md. Maloney, Maeghan District Attorney 207-474-2423 Maeghan is a graduate of Swarthmore and Harvard Law School. And it could immediately affect the pay of Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas. 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. 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. "The District Attorney's Office, although located in the courthouse, is not under county commissioners' supervision, nor is it part of the . Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Itprecludes an individual from continuing to serve as district attorney without an active law license. 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. Assistant Public Defender, District 2 (Dorchester . 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. Find Court Records related to Somerset County District Attorney. Somerset County District Court: 410-845-4700: Somerset County Parole & Probation: 410-651-2211: . Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is facing rape and assault charges after police say he assaulted an acquaintance Sept. 18. 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. It is expected tobe on Gov. 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. "Ithink that by itself is enough to raise a significant question," Davis said in reference to the letter. Rain likely. There are two procedures the bill explores. Address and Phone Number for Somerset County District Attorney, a District Attorney Office, at East Union Street, Somerset PA. Name Somerset County District Attorney Suggest Edit Address 111 East Union Street Somerset , Pennsylvania , 15501 Phone 814-445-1456 Map of Somerset County District Attorney In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. The bill requires a district attorney to hold an active law license while in office. Thedisciplinary board does not issue information about the specifics of why a license is suspended. "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.". Charged: Police: Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas showed up uninvited, raped Windber woman, Protection order: Hearing rescheduled against Somerset County DA Jeffrey Thomas. Business Directory; Dispatch Log & Jail Bookings; Somerset County Bicentennial; Activities; "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. Sun and clouds mixed. 30500 Prince William St.Princess Anne, Md. 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. 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. 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.". The wife of Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas was cleared of assault charges against her husband during her preliminary hearing Wednesday. 410-651-9225: Somerset County State's Attorney's Office: 410-651-3333: Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Services for Citizens. A Westmoreland County woman who said she witnessed the act during a FaceTime video call with Amy Thomas that night contends otherwise. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Thomas was . 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. State police charged Thomas, of Windber, with rape, indecent assault,. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes in the following cities and towns: Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica . The order prohibits Thomas performing any legal actions in the courthouse and basically reduced his presence to that of an observer. On Oct. 27,the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania listed his license as temporarily suspended. 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.". Find 5 District Attorney Offices within 46.4 miles of Somerset County District Attorney. Tom Wolf's desk as early as Monday. 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 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. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. 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. 2023 County Office. 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. The board consists ofthe commissioners and Somerset County Treasurer Donna Matsko Schmitt. Independent Court-Appointed Conflict Counsel Somerset County Sep 2013 - Mar 2020 6 years 7 . In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. 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. Jeffrey Thomas Pittsburgh-based defense attorney, Ryan Tutera, declined comment when reached about the letter. All rights reserved. It will assure the citizens that the integrity expected in the office of District Attorney is maintained," Yaw said. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. Using the official letterhead of his . An employee of Seger's office told the Daily American that the magistrate could not comment on the letter. . 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. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. 21853Phone:410.651.3333Fax:410.651.3453Attorneys, Wess Garner - State's AttorneyKendra Hayward -Deputy State's AttorneyKristen Boston - Assistant State's AttorneyBrittany Collins- Assistant State's Attorney, Support StaffChild Support Unit:Alice BromleyBrittney Bozman, Circuit Court:Jacki Bowen-Hill - Secretary, District Court:April Howard- Victim Witness Advocate/ParalegalJuvenile Court:Sandy Atkins - Legal Secretary Supervisor, Somerset County Narcotics Task Force:Patti S. Renshaw - Secretary. 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