David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Thomas has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has said he plans to defend himself at trial. Reaction: Calls for district attorney's resignation? 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. 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. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. Neither of the judgeshas spoken publicly about the matter. 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. But the Somerset County Courthouse is a county building. Thomas was charged with sexually assaulting an acquaintance, a Windber woman, inside her home last fall. High 63F. Ellich on Twitter at @dajudye. About Us Contact Us 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. 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. 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. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. 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. Robert Caruso, executive director, State Ethics Commission, said he can't addressspecific cases or situationsunless his agency has issued adjudication against aperson. Maloney, Maeghan District Attorney 207-474-2423 Maeghan is a graduate of Swarthmore and Harvard Law School. 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. All Rights Reserved. Suggest Listing State police charged Thomas, of Windber, with rape, indecent assault,. The bill addresses what happens to district attorneys who havetheir law licensesuspended or become disbarred. Find Court Records related to Somerset County District Attorney. 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. Reporters Eric Kieta and Judy D.J. 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. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Citizens charged with crimes have a constitutional right to an attorney in the United States. It is expected to be on Gov. As with any pending litigation, I cannot comment on it," Barbera said, "but obviously, the county will be filing a response.". get driving directions from your location, US Department of Justice - US Attorneys Website. "This (lawsuit) is brand-new right now. 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. Thomas's law license was suspended, which means he still has his license minusthe privileges that go along with it. Member, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, Somerset County, 2017-. Windber police charged Amy Thomas that same day with simple assault and harassment for attacking her husband, leaving scratches on his arm, according to the criminal complaint. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst. The county was served notice of the lawsuit Tuesday, Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera said. Follow Judy D.J. And it could immediately affect the pay of Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas. Sep. 8SOMERSET, Pa. Suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is suing the county for suspending his salary and benefits. The first procedure couldimpactSomerset County's beleaguered highest law enforcement officer. 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. 30500 Prince William St.Princess Anne, Md. This letter was later released to other media by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. 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The Daily American obtained a copy of the letter from the county by filing a Right-to-Know request. Do you plan to save or spend your 2022 income tax refund. 2023 County Office. Calls for district attorney's resignation? 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. District Attorney's Office; Register of Probate; Agendas; Minutes; Notify Me; Submit A Request; Employment; Dickey also filed a motion to postpone trial until a future term of court, online court records show. All Rights Reserved. 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.. Independent Court-Appointed Conflict Counsel Somerset County Sep 2013 - Mar 2020 6 years 7 . The act requires district attorneys to hold an active law license while in office. Attorneys Ryan Tutera and Eric Jackson Lurie did not go into detail in court Friday about the specifics of the medical review. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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.". 30500 Prince William St. Princess Anne, Md. 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. The bill clarifies what happens in a case of suspension. Nov. 17, 2021, Gov. 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.". CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 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. Bristol County District Attorney's Office Address Main Office 218 South Main Street, Suite 101, Fall River, MA 02721 Directions Phone (508) 997-0711 Online Bristol DA's Office Website Learn more about this organization Bristol County District Attorney's Office Get Directions Details Overview Hours Parking Overview Find 12 external resources related to Somerset County District Attorney. Police: Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas showed up uninvited, raped Windber woman, Hearing rescheduled against Somerset County DA Jeffrey Thomas. District Attorney District Attorney's Office 41 Court St. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Ph: 207-474-2423 Fx: 207-474-7407 Staff Directory. Terms and Conditions. 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. ", Even though the word in the state capital is that Wolf will sign the bill, he added: "Nothing is real until it is real.". Johnstown Magazine is a positive and forward-thinking monthly publication for the people of our region. One isif the district attorney's law license is is suspended. Somerset County Solicitor Michael Barbera referred to Sen. Bill No. . Terms and Conditions. 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. Sen. Bill No. The Somerset County District Attorney, located in Skowhegan, ME, is an agency that prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Skowhegan government. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. A letter to District Judge Bill Seger ofWindber indicates that Somerset County District Attorney JeffThomas attempted to intervene in his wife's case. 2023 www.dailyamerican.com. You have permission to edit this article. 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. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. In Somerset County, the district attorney is paid by the county with 65% of the salary being reimbursed by the state. 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. 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