Police said he strangled and sexually assaulted the woman before she was able to escape his grasp and only agreed to leave after she promised not to contact the police. 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 Find Court Records related to Somerset County District Attorney. The bill requires a district attorney to hold an active law license while in office. In Skowhegan, 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. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst. "Due to the current circumstances surrounding the Somerset County district attorney, my wife is now serving as the acting DA," Metzgar wrote. 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. State Supreme Court suspends Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas' law license, The latest on Somerset County DA: prohibited from any legal action in courthouse, protection order withdrawn, Attorney general's office amends charges against Somerset County district attorney, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The criminal complaint against Amy Thomas does not indicate why she allegedly tried to prevent her husband from leaving their residence, but, according to Windber police, she admitted to the act. Act 88 of 2021, signed into law by Pennsylvania Gov. Susan Mankamyer, of Boswell, is another of Somerset Countys district judges. 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. You may not use this site for the purposes of furnishing consumer reports about search subjects or for any use prohibited by the FCRA. 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. 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. 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. 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. Thomas, 36 . Low 48F. Senate Bill No. "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. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. 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. 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. Jeffrey Thomas, 36, faces a preliminary hearing Oct. 19 in the rape case. Wess Garner - State's Attorney Kendra Hayward - Deputy State's Attorney Kristen Boston - Assistant State's Attorney Brittany Collins - Assistant State's Attorney. This letter was later released to other media by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. There was a problem saving your notification. District Attorney District Attorney's Office 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Ph: 207-474-2423 Fx: 207-474-7407 Staff Directory. Creany said Friday he was already taking steps to prepare for Thomas trial, with initial questionnaires already sent to 200 potential jurors about the possibility of serving in the case. View map of Somerset County District Attorney, and get driving directions from your location. 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. Chance of rain 70%. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Itprecludes an individual from continuing to serve as district attorney without an active law license. 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. It will assure the citizens that the integrity expected in the office of District Attorney is maintained," Yaw said. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Creany indicated he will review the conversations in question and listen to each sides arguments before deciding whether those messages are relevant. 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. 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.. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Somerset County District Attorney Contact Information. The charges were filed against her on Sept. 13 the same date listed on Thomass letter. The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. Currently, there is no requirement that a person elected to the office of district attorney possess an active license to practice law at the time of entering office, which SB 420 will require, Sen. Yaw said in a statement on his website. An employee of Seger's office told the Daily American that the magistrate could not comment on the letter. Privacy Policy Here's the latest for Monday November 29th: COVID-19 omicron variant found in more countries; Flooding in Washington state; Major abortion rights case goes to Supreme Court; Jewish festival of Hannukah begins. High 63F. Terms and Conditions. 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. 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 Somerset County District Attorney, located in Somerset, PA, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Somerset government. Somerset County District Court: 410-845-4700: Somerset County Parole & Probation: 410-651-2211: . The ethics commission deals with public officials who have rules and regulations they need to follow. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Simple assault and harassment charges. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In a suit filed Tuesday, a Pittsburgh law. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. . "So it could be argued that if a public official takes an action that financially benefits a relative, that can be construed as a financial benefit as a result the family member not (having)to incur legal expenses, pay a fine, something along that line.. District Attorneys in Pennsylvania interested in starting a PA LETI program should contact the Office of . Separate fees are paid for pleas or trials, the fee schedule shows. 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. SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas trial on sexual assault charges has been continued to 2023. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. 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. 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. Act 88 requires that each county attorney possesses an active law license. "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. 2023 County Office. 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. 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. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes in the following cities and towns: Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica . Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. Assistant Public Defender, District 2 (Dorchester . The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. Find 6 District Attorney Offices within 46.4 miles of Somerset County District Attorney. You have permission to edit this article. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. 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. 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.". Robert Caruso, executive director, State Ethics Commission, said he can't addressspecific cases or situationsunless his agency has issued adjudication against aperson. 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. Somerset County D.A. The attorney called the county's move illegal. 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. A well-known defense attorney will represent Thomas in a Cambria County criminal case paid with taxpayer dollars. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. You can now search cases from Circuit Court and District Court online. The Somerset County Prosecuting Attorney, located in Somerville, NJ, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Somerville government. Crisfield-Somerset County Airport Advisory Board. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas stands outside the Somerset County Courthouse on Oct. 1, 2021. "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. 420,sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23rd District), vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee, focuses on a district attorney holding a valid license to practice law in the state from the time of election throughout the term of office. State police charged Thomas, of Windber, with rape, indecent assault,. State rules on criminal procedure dictate that a case against a defendant must go to trial within a year of the date charges were filed in this case, by September. "(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. 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. Somerset County District Attorney - Somerset, PA. Suite 40 111 E Union St Somerset, PA 15501 - 1416. 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. Sun and clouds mixed. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas arrives for his preliminary hearing at the Somerset County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. She is tobe paid approximately$185,000 annually, which is what was the salary for District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas, whose position has been suspended because of a new state law, known as Act 88,on Nov. 26. But certain redacted messages were questioned Friday, with Lurie asking to review them based on the belief the woman could be talking in code about details related to the case. 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. 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