Crime

Bar President Resigns After Prostitution Charge

He stepped down the same day charges were filed.

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Pennsylvania Bar Association President David Eric Schwager has stepped down from his post after charges were filed against him for patronizing a prostitute.

According to reports, Schwager had a sexual encounter with a woman he met through an escort service in December 2019. During that incident, Schwager says the woman, Emily Ann Merth, secretly recorded him and subsequently allegedly tried to extort him for $1,000. As detailed by authorities, Merth was arrested when Schwager reported the events to police:

Merth allegedly threatened to post a nude video of Schwager if he didn’t pay her $1,000. The woman lowered her demand to $700, and Schwager contacted police, the criminal complaints allege.

Merth was arrested when Schwager returned to the home, ostensibly to pay her the money, and she went outside to meet him. She allegedly told police that she videotapes sexual encounters to sell and make more money.

The bar association’s executive director, Barry M. Simpson, had this to say about the charge:

“While the charge is troubling, every person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty, and we have confidence in the operation of our justice system.”

In addition to resigning his bar association position, Schwager has been placed on administrative leave without pay from his position as assistant solicitor in Luzerne County.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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