Former Bradford County District Attorney Chad Salsman, who pleaded guilty in early May to promoting prostitution, obstruction of law and witness intimidation, was disbarred Tuesday by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Salsman, who was accused by several former clients of sexual assault and other crimes, pleaded guilty to three lesser charges in Bradford County Court.
The plea agreement reached between Salsman and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office also required Salsman to resign from his elected position, officials said. He was admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in October 2001.
Salsman initially faced multiple counts of sexual assault, indecent assault, intimidation of a witness or victim, obstruction of justice, and prostitution resulting from complaints filed by five female clients of his former law practice.
"Chad Salsman used his position as a private attorney, and then as the district attorney, to intimidate and silence his victims and interfere with our investigation," state Attorney General Todd Shapiro said following the plea. "Today is a powerful reminder that no one is above the law."
Salsman, who was elected district attorney in November 2019 and took office in January 2020, was arrested in early February of this year following a year-long investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The investigation was prompted by complaints from several former clients of Salsman's private practice that he had touched them inappropriately, forced them to have sexual relations in his office, and other accusations.
Former Bradford County District Attorney Daniel Barrett, who retired at the end of 2019, referred the case to the Attorney General's Office to avoid any possible conflict of interest.
Salsman, a Bradford County native and graduate of Wyalusing High School,
went on to defeat then-Assistant District Attorney Albert Ondrey in
both a primary and the general election.
No comments:
Post a Comment