York County solicitor resigns, delivers cease-and-desist letter to president commissioner

Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record
·2 min read
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York County Solicitor Michelle Pokrifka has submitted her resignation and has delivered a cease-and-desist letter to President Commissioner Julie Wheeler.

Pokrifka turned in her resignation a week ago, Vice President Commissioner Doug Hoke and Commissioner Ron Smith said. Her last day will be March 31.

"It's really disheartening that she's leaving," Smith said.

He described her as a consummate professional who is well-respected in the legal field. Hoke said he's always had a great working relationship with her, and he wishes her well.

Pokrifka could not be reached for comment. She told The York Dispatch that she sent a cease-and-desist letter to Wheeler, alleging the public official made disparaging remarks after she tendered her resignation.

Wheeler did not respond for comment.

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Smith said the news of an order being issued to Wheeler by a county employee is "very disconcerting."

"Not only is Michelle a respected employee, but she is also a member of our leadership team, and mistreatment of any employee in such a manner is inappropriate and unacceptable," he said.

"We have the responsibility to our employees and to the York County taxpayers to fully investigate what has transpired and take the appropriate actions so that everyone can be reassured these types of actions will not be tolerated," he said.

The county has advertised the open solicitor position. It has an assistant solicitor, Dierdre Sullivan. The commissioners have not yet met to discuss how matters will be handled after Pokrifka's departure, Hoke said.

Pokrifka, who previously served as assistant solicitor, rose to the top job after former solicitor Glenn Smith left in 2018.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York County solicitor resigns, sent cease-and-desist order to official