Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Source: Patriot-News, The (PA)
Copyright: 2012 The Patriot-News
Contact: http://www.pennlive.com/mailforms/patriotletters/
Website: http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1630
Author: Elizabeth Gibson

PRESIDENTIAL DRUG USE CITED IN CARLISLE TAX COLLECTOR'S DEFENSE

Carlisle's elected tax collector is fighting a move to bar him from
official duties while criminal charges against him move through court.

George Thomas Hicks Jr., through his lawyer, is disputing a claim that
there would be overwhelming public outrage if he continued performing
his official duties.

In fact, attorney Karl Rominger said accusations that Hicks sold pot
to an undercover cop would be no more sensational to taxpayers than
revelations that U.S. presidents had used illegal drugs before they
were elected.

"Most of the public is acquainted with marijuana, and most if not all
of the last few modern presidents of the United States has imbibed or
ingested at least marijuana if not cocaine, and the use of marijuana
does not per se render one unfit for office," Rominger stated in
documents filed Friday in Cumberland County Court.

Hicks was charged with two felony drug delivery counts after he was
accused of selling marijuana to an undercover cop twice this month in
an office that's down the hall from Hicks' tax collector office. The
21-year-old former Dickinson College student was charged Tuesday.

Hicks has claimed that he uses marijuana for medical reasons, that he
is not a drug dealer and that he thought he was selling pot as a favor
to a friend.

Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed is seeking to keep
Hicks from carrying out duties under his elected position as tax
collector. Freed won a temporary injunction and is expected to argue
in a 10:30 a.m. Monday hearing that the ban should continue while
Hicks' case is prosecuted.

In the meantime, borough financial director Owen Snyder has taken over
tax collection duties at the borough office at 53 W. South St.
Information is on the borough website, www.carlislepa.org.

Freed, in his court-filed complaint, said that, whether or not Hicks
is innocent, the public could lose confidence in, or at least be
confused about, submitting tax payments to Hicks. Some could withhold
payments which would cause problems for the government agencies which
rely on tax revenues.

Since some tax bills are paid in cash, and since drug deals are
conducted in cash, Freed's complaint stated, taxpayers might think
their money could be used to make illegal drug buys.

"In order to sell illegal substances, one must purchase them
beforehand. The public assumption will be that the elected tax
collector is utilizing public funds to purchase a supply of illegal
substances in order to sell it and recoup the money for a profit,"
Freed's complaint contended.

Rominger denies his client made illegal marijuana sales.

He said allegations that public tax payments could be used to buy or
sell marijuana are wild speculation.
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