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. 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. Please accept this correspondence as the Somerset County District Attorneys Office request to withdraw the pending criminal charges in the above-captioned matter, Jeffrey Thomas wrote in the brief letter, which bears the subject line RE: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Amy L. Thomas.. Mostly crickets in Somerset County. Office of State's Attorney 30500 Prince William St., Princess Anne, MD 21853 . After the notification and the responses, the disciplinary board mayschedule a hearing on the matter. 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. The District Attorney heads the Somerville Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. 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. Follow him on Twitter@TDDavidHurstand Instagram@TDDavidHurst. High 63F. By Todd Berkey tberkey@tribdem.com. Chance of rain 70%. Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. 0:36. Since September, Thomas has been fighting charges of sexual assault, with the Pennsylvania Office ofAttorney Generalis prosecuting the case. October 19, 2021 / 5:10 PM / CBS Pittsburgh. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford), who abstained from voting for the bill, explained his position in the following statement. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has been granted jurisdiction to prosecute a domestic assault case involving Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas and his wife. Services for Citizens. Share this page on your favorite Social network. "Whether or not it does is something the disciplinary board would determine.". 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. Senate Bill No. "(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. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. 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. Reporters Eric Kieta and Judy D.J. "With these hires, Molly has put us in position to succeed here," Leiden said. The commonwealth filed a petition to take jurisdiction of Amy Thomas' case Sept. 28. District Attorney's Office; Register of Probate; Agendas; Minutes; Notify Me; Submit A Request; Employment; Copyright 2022 Somerset County, MD. Name Somerset County District Attorney Address 41 Court Street Skowhegan, Maine, 04976 Phone 207-474-2423 Fax 207-474-7407 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. get driving directions from your location, US Department of Justice - US Attorneys Website. Maloney, Maeghan District Attorney 207-474-2423 Maeghan is a graduate of Swarthmore and Harvard Law School. The act requires district attorneys to hold an active law license while in office. The Somerset County Commissioners acknowledgedtheformal suspensionof District Attorney Jeffrey Thomason Nov. 26 at theirregular biweekly meeting. Popularity:#13 of 21 District Attorney Offices in New Jersey#1,532 in District Attorney Offices. By doing soThomas has said he is not guilty of the crime. 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. . Crisfield-Somerset County Airport Advisory Board. Your Profile? 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. 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.". 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. 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's total pay for 2021 was scheduled to be$185,665. The Somerset County District Attorney, located in Somerset, PA, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Somerset government. "The District Attorney's Office, although located in the courthouse, is not under county commissioners' supervision, nor is it part of the . . The law, identified as. Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas was arrested Wednesday after police say he raped a woman. Tom Wolf's desk as early as Monday. 21853 Phone: 410.651.3333 Fax: 410.651.3453 Attorneys. 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 About Us Contact Us Metzgar's position as first assistant assistant district attorney is toremain vacant. Thomas's total pay for 2021 was scheduled to be $185,665. The county was served notice of the lawsuit Tuesday, Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera said. 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. As with any pending litigation, I cannot comment on it," Barbera said, "but obviously, the county will be filing a response.". 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. View map of Somerset County District Attorney, and get driving directions from your location. Thomas told The Tribune-Democrat he has dealt with Dickey both while working as a defense attorney and during his time in the DA's office and is "impressed with his knowledge of the law and his courtroom acumen.". Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. The District Attorney heads the Somerset Prosecutor's Office, directing the attorneys who work for the office. Calls for district attorney's resignation? Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas is no longer receiving a paycheck for his position. 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. 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 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. All rights reserved. Tom Wolf signed Senate 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. Neither of the judgeshas spoken publicly about the matter. Senate Bill No. "This (lawsuit) is brand-new right now. Separate fees are paid for pleas or trials, the fee schedule shows. 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).". 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. Itprecludes an individual from continuing to serve as district attorney without an active law license. Sheriff's Office Somerset County Jail. Thomas was . The board consists ofthe commissioners and Somerset County Treasurer Donna Matsko Schmitt. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. I do thank my colleagues for their support and would have voted for the measure if I was able to.". In the case of disbarment, avacancy will be created that would be filled under current state law. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. (Interim State's Attorney, Sept. 1, 2017 to Jan. 7, 2019). 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. 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. 30500 Prince William St.Princess Anne, Md. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. Dickey also filed a motion to postpone trial until a future term of court, online court records show. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. Ellich contributed to this article. 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.. The wife of Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas was cleared of assault charges against her husband during her preliminary hearing Wednesday. Do you plan to save or spend your 2022 income tax refund. There are two procedures the bill explores. Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. The case is currently in the early stages of moving toward trial. A well-known defense attorney will represent Thomas in a Cambria County criminal case paid with taxpayer dollars. 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. Also on Tuesday, two new part-time assistant district attorneys were hired to be part of the county's prosecutorialteam. 2023 County Office. Privacy Policy 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. The bill addresses what happens to district attorneys who havetheir law licensesuspended or become disbarred. Business Directory; Dispatch Log & Jail Bookings; Somerset County Bicentennial; Activities; Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas arrives for his preliminary hearing at the Somerset County Courthouse on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. 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. 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. He said the county will review the suit and file a response within the court-mandated 20-day time frame. Thomas has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has said he plans to defend himself at trial. Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. This letter was later released to other media by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. This was granted Oct. 6, a day after Somerset County First Assistant District Attorney Molly Metzgar wrote that she and the attorney general's office agreed that keeping jurisdiction in the county would constitute a conflict of interest. Nov. 17, 2021, Gov. You can now search cases from Circuit Court and District Court online. 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. Act 88 of 2021, signed into law by Pennsylvania Gov. Privacy Policy David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Suggest Listing Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. Find Court Records related to Somerset County Prosecuting Attorney. 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. 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. Lawyer Bob Davis Jr., who is based out of Harrisburg, has served in the past asbar association counsel in West Virginia, assistantcounsel forthe State Bar of Georgiaand deputy chief and acting chief of the disciplinary board in Pennsylvania. 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. Jeffrey Thomas waived all . A letter to District Judge Bill Seger ofWindber indicates that Somerset County District Attorney JeffThomas attempted to intervene in his wife's case. 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. (814) 443-2894. Act 88 requires that each county attorney possesses an active law license. 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. District Attorneys in Pennsylvania interested in starting a PA LETI program should contact the Office of . 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. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. The DA's Office also maintains court records that are open to the public. Suggest Listing 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. "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. 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. All rights reserved. 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. The notification and the responses, the District Attorney Jeffrey Thomason Nov. 26 at biweekly... 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