The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, to resolve the department’s claims in Doe et al. v. Schuylkill County et al., a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).
The consent decree resolves the department’s allegations that County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. sexually harassed four female employees and that those employees suffered retaliation when they opposed Halcovage’s sexual harassment. The complaint also alleged multiple incidents of sexual advances, coercion of sexual intercourse and inappropriate sex-based comments occurring over many years.
“All people deserve to go to work each day without fear of sexual harassment and retaliation when they oppose that harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This resolution sends a clear message that the Justice Department will not tolerate sexual harassment and retaliation especially when it is perpetrated by an elected official who abuses the powers of their office.”
“Today, by this consent decree, we emphasize that local governments must have comprehensive policies and training to prevent sexual harassment and retaliation by public servants,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “No official can abuse their power and position...
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