Sep. 15—The first formal hearing involving the possible impeachment of Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. starts at 9 a.m. Thursday in Harrisburg.

The House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts will convene in the Ryan Building at the state Capitol Complex to hear testimony on House Resolution 99. The hearing is open to the public, though much of the testimony is expected to be conducted in executive session.

The same committee is scheduled to convene Monday in the Irvis Office Building for a "voting meeting" on the resolution, according to the Pennsylvania Legislative website, legis.state.pa.us. It does not list a time.

State Rep. Paul Schemel, R-90, Franklin County, the committee chair, had said in an August statement that the purpose of the hearing is to "assess if Mr. Halcovage is liable for impeachment."

The four female Schuylkill County employees who sued Halcovage in Middle District Court in Harrisburg claiming sexual harassment and assault are expected to testify.

Local lawmakers and fellow commissioners first asked Halcovage in March 2021 to step down, citing allegations in a report by the county solicitor and human resources offices. Their investigation found that Halcovage violated county policies on sexual harassment, conduct and discipline and physical and verbal abuse. If he was an employee, he would have been suspended and termination would have been recommended, the investigation found.

A new letter addressed to Schemel and signed by numerous county officials, calling for the committee to recommend articles of impeachment, will be presented at Thursday's hearing.

Halcovage has denied the allegations.

On Jan. 11, the Pennsylvania House Committee on Courts voted to consider House Resolution 99, which the House of Representatives had passed 200-0 in November. The resolution authorizes the subcommittee and House Judiciary to take testimony, subpoena witnesses and receive documents regarding Halcovage's possible impeachment.

If the committee finds that Halcovage engaged in "impeachable" conduct, articles of impeachment can be prepared. If Halcovage is impeached by the House, the state Senate would conduct a trial, and if two-thirds of the senators vote for conviction, Halcovage would be removed from office.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023