PINE GROVE - A borough council candidate who faces indecent assault charges in county court has withdrawn his name from the General Election ballot.
Robert Wolfe won the Republican nomination to a four-year term in the May primary election. On Tuesday, Frannie Brennan, director of the Schuylkill County Election Bureau, said Wolfe withdrew from the race Aug. 6. The last day for candidates to withdraw was Monday.
"It now goes to the county chair and they have to do a substitute nomination and that has to be in Aug. 22," Brennan said about the change, adding that there isn't much time.
A call to Wolfe was not returned Tuesday. He said previously that he would not run in the General Election because of health concerns involving his kidneys and a possible stroke.
Gary Bender, the Schuylkill County Republican chairman, said Tuesday that he is aware of Wolfe's withdrawal.
"I have a meeting (scheduled) with the committee people from Pine Grove Borough," he said. The group will select a candidate and that name will be given to the elections bureau.
Wolfe, 43, of Pine Grove, faces charges of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minor-sexual offenses, sexual abuse of children-child pornography and indecent assault.
He was arrested at his home May 23 by the Pine Grove police department.
Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ordered all charges against Wolfe held for the county court at a preliminary hearing in June.
Pine Grove police allege that Wolfe had unlawful sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl, who is now 16, at North End Fire Company in the borough. Police also allege Wolfe, who worked on the custodial staff at Pine Grove Area High School at the time, and the girl met several other times, exchanged pictures and talked in a sexual manner.
Pine Grove Area school board President David Lukasewicz said Tuesday that Wolfe was unanimously fired from his position with the district at a June 20 school board meeting.
Wolfe was also vice president of Hose, Hook and Ladder No. 1 Fire Company in Pine Grove as of May.
Fire Chief Dave Sattizahn did not return a call Tuesday to confirm whether Wolfe still holds that position with the fire company.