Delaware County Senior Judge Arrested

Attorney General Tom Corbett News Release.

HARRISBURG – A Delaware County Senior Magisterial District Judge was arrested today by agents from the Attorney General’s Office for alleged inappropriate touching of a minor female.

Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Gerald Liberace, 69, 36 Nancy Drive, Havertown, Delaware County.  Liberace is the Senior Magisterial District Judge in Haverford Township, Delaware County.

Evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today.

The grand jury found that in August 2004 Liberace was alone with a 12-year old female, while her mother spent the weekend with friends.

According to the grand jury, Liberace began scratching the girl’s back, while she was in his bed. During this time, Liberace allegedly reached his hand under her panties, below the waist line and began rubbing the girl’s buttocks.

The grand jury found that Liberace continued to engage in other inappropriate contact with the girl.

Liberace is charged with one count each of indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors. Each count is a first degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Liberace was arrested this morning and preliminarily arraigned before Media Magisterial District Judge Stephanie Kline. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

Corbett thanked the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Haverford Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.