Politics & Government
West Norriton Replaces Former Solicitor Robert Kerns
Christian Pionzio was appointed solicitor at a special meeting after the township's solicitor was removed following rape allegations.
After removing former Montgomery County Republican Committee Chairman Robert J. Kerns from his West Norriton Township solicitor position in November following rape accusations, the West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners appointed Christen Pionzio from Hamburg Rubin Mullen Maxwell & Lupin as solicitor at a special meeting Monday night.
The vote was 4-0, with Committee vice president David McKenzie absent, board president Paul Piantone told Patch.
Kerns was accused in November of drugging and raping an employee of his former law firm.
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According to township manager Jason Bobst, the township became aware of the allegations against Kerns on Nov. 12. “Given the nature of the allegations, the Board of Commissioners has decided it is within the best interests of the Township to remove Mr. Kerns and his firm as Solicitor of West Norriton Township. This took effect on November 15, 2013,” he wrote in an email to Patch.
Kerns represented West Norriton since from January of 1994 until November of 2013, according to Bobst.
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