House GOP sends Miccarelli case to prosecutor
Pennsylvania House Republican leadership announced Wednesday that it has completed an investigation into allegations against state Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, of Ridley Park, and ordered a copy of the report to be sent to Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo for his review.
Steve Miskin, a spokesman for the House Republican Caucus, did not return a call for comment Wednesday.
“Upon a careful reading of the State House Republican Caucus Report regarding allegations against Rep. Nick Miccarelli, there exists a confidentiality clause that we are legally obligated to honor,” said Miccarelli spokesman Frank Keel. “Therefore, we will have no comment on the findings contained in the report at this point in time.”
The investigation was the result of a confidential complaint filed in the House by two women who both dated Miccarelli years ago. They include a political consultant and state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116 of Butler Township, who also secured a temporary protection from abuse order from a Luzerne County judge against Miccarelli last week.
The political consultant claimed Miccarelli came to her home and forced her to have sex after she ended the relationship in 2014. She also said that she believes Miccarelli drugged her at one point while they were still in a relationship and engaged in “non-consensual sexual behavior” while she was unconscious.
Toohil has not alleged Miccarelli sexually attacked her, but said in her request for the protection order that Miccarelli pointed a gun at her in 2012 and at one point threatened to kill them both by crashing a vehicle while driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
She also said he attempted to blackmail her by releasing photographs and that he has harassed and stalked her since their relationship ended. A hearing on the PFA is scheduled for today in Luzerne County.
Miccarelli, who denies the allegations, has complied with the PFA and surrendered any guns in his possession to local authorities, according to his attorney, Joe Podraza. He also did not return to Harrisburg this week with his colleagues.
In a release Wednesday, Republican leadership indicated its investigation was related to Republican Caucus general and sexual harassment and workplace violence policies. The report was issued to House Republican leadership, as well as attorneys for the complainants and Miccarelli, according to the release.
“Additional details on the results of the investigation are prohibited from being made public under House policies,” the release stated. “Additionally, confidentiality will be maintained, to the extent reasonably possible, consistent with the obligation to investigate and respond to the complaint and cooperate with law enforcement on the criminal investigation of this matter.”
Chardo could not discuss that investigation, but has previously said his office is working closely with other law enforcement agencies, including Capitol Police.
“We’ll have to review everything we’ve got and go from there,” he said Wednesday. “We’re moving along as swiftly as we can.”
House leadership also noted that it “has taken seriously any possible safety concerns and enacted, in concert with Capitol Police, additional safety measures for the benefit of all participants and the general public.”
Miccarelli, 35, a five-term incumbent, has had his security clearance at the Capitol revoked and must enter through a public entryway that includes a security screening should he return to Harrisburg.
He has denied all of the allegations against him and has not been charged with a crime. Miccarelli has also said he intends to continue his 2018 re-election campaign and will not step down from office despite calls from Republican and Democratic lawmakers to do so.
State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161 of Swarthmore, said there was heightened security at the Capitol Monday and that the situation was on the minds of people there. She tweeted Tuesday that, “Whether by resignation or expulsion, it’s time for @nickmiccarelli to go” and urged those in agreement to contact House leadership.