SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas has spent a lot of time inside the courtrooms of the Somerset County Courthouse.
But Friday, he was in the defense chair as the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office moved to take over the rape case against him.
The judge made that part official in the brief hearing Friday afternoon.
Thomas, through his attorney, also confirmed Friday that he will be taking a temporary leave of absence while the case plays out.
“That does not mean he’s stepping down as district attorney,” said Defense Attorney Ryan Tutera. “He will continue on defending this claim and dealing with matters in his personal life. When those matters are complete, he will be back as your district attorney.”
Thomas was charged last Wednesday with rape, assault, and other charges for an encounter with a Windber woman.
State police say in their charging affidavit that Thomas went into the woman's home uninvited.
When he wouldn't leave, they say he struck the woman, held her down, and raped her.
Thomas and his attorney told reporters they have evidence that there is more to this story than state police allege.
That, and the good he's done in office, are reasons they say Somerset County residents should give him the benefit of the doubt.
“There are a lot of drugs that move in and out of this county and he’s put a stop to that, and I think the people are happy about that. I don’t think that, Jeffrey, you’ve seen the last of him,” Tutera said.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte said that Thomas will not be treated any better or worse than anyone else they try.
A preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for later this month, but Thomas' attorney said that may change.
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