Skumanick bidding for public defender

[courtney]

http://newage-examiner.com/sections/new ... -post.aspx

He wants to take over both adult and juvenile public defender positions at $77,000, which includes his salary and budget. That would be saving $40,000+ and if the budget is the same, he'd be taking a major salary cut from over $100,000 a year to $38,000. Also seems like there would be some major conflicts if he has to defend someone he was previously prosecuting, although I'm sure they'd just assign a different attorney, but if he takes over both positions, who do they assign?

I am wondering how this process is going to work. Seems like the commissioners just get to decide who has the job. Also seems to be others interested in the position as well, so it should be interesting to see who gets the job. Hopefully the commissioners will take into consideration the vote of the people to not retain Skumanick as DA. If the people don't want him as DA, why would they want him as a public defender?

[Lou]

I think it's a bad idea. George should go into private practice and be done with it. Especially if, as a public defender, he had to reassign a case due to conflict, I imagine that would be at the expense of the county to hire an attorney. What about former defendants he prosecuted years ago? I think that would be a conflict too.

[PotBelly12]

I agree time for a change. Sometimes things can get too cozy. Look at Luzerne county for example.

[courtney]

I'm baffled as to why he would want to take such a huge paycut for the position. He can't be that desperate. Doesn't make sense to me. He wanted to prosecute kids with bogus charges and now he wants to defend? Smells of potential corruption.

[Hunter]

I agree time for a change. Sometimes things can get too cozy. Look at Luzerne county for example.

I agree with Luzerne County. Every day we see others charged with corruption. Unbelievable.

[iamme]

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/outgoi ... b-1.515611