SUNBURY - A trial involving a federal lawsuit filed in 2009 by fired deputy warden John Conrad for wrongful termination is scheduled for January 2013.
A brief discussion about the pending litigation was held Wednesday morning during an executive session at the conclusion of the Northumberland County Prison Board meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, county district attorney Tony Rosini informed the board that he was deposed (called to testify or give a deposition) in the case.
When contacted Wednesday afternoon to update the case, Attorney Robert Hanna of the law firm Lavery, Faherty and Patterson of Harrisburg, said Conrad's case has been delayed several times, but is currently scheduled for the January 2013 term of federal court. He said jury selection is scheduled for Jan. 3.
The attorney pointed out that Conrad's original attorney, Frank Kepner of Berwick, was forced to withdraw from the case because he had represented one of the defendants, Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi, in other matters. Hanna said another delay occurred when U.S. Senior District Judge James F. McClure Jr., 79, of Lewisburg, who was originally assigned to hear the case, passed away Dec. 17, 2010.
Conrad is currently represented by Attorney Joshua Cochran of Harrisburg.
U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III is scheduled to preside at the trial.
The suit was filed by Conrad and his wife, Leslie, against the county prison board in federal court on July 10, 2009. The suit, which is seeking approximately $75,000 from the county, was filed after John Conrad was suspended with pay in February 2009 and eventually fired.
Conrad's lawsuit claims a conspiracy, wrongful termination, defamation and violation of due process, equal protection rights and whistle-blower rights. His wife's claim is for loss of consortium.
Defendants in the case are Rosini, Clausi, President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, Sheriff Chad Reiner, former county controller Charles Erdman, former warden Ralph "Rick" Reish and former county commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki.
The defendants have denied all claims.
The county alleges that Conrad was fired because of his actions toward a guard, Donald Keeley. The county also said Conrad knew exactly why he was terminated. As an at-will employee, court documents state Conrad wasn't entitled to a written statement of the charges.
Warden Roy Johnson reported the current prison population is 228, including 181 males and 47 females.
He said three inmates are being housed outside the county primarily for segregation reasons.
The warden said the prison has been able to generate significant revenue by housing inmates from other counties. He said the county charges $60 to $65 per day to house inmates from other counties.
Currently, there are seven inmates from Union County, 13 from Montour County and two from Columbia County incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison.