As released by the Governor's Press Office.

Harrisburg, PA - Today, Governor Tom Wolf named Mary Isenhour Chief of Staff following the announcement that Katie McGinty had stepped down effective July 23.

"Katie McGinty has been an invaluable advisor and friend, and her contributions to the Commonwealth will be remembered. We worked together to expand Medicaid, eliminate the unfair and costly SNAP asset test, save the children's health insurance program in Pennsylvania, and implement key government reforms like a gift ban," said Governor Tom Wolf. "Katie's work has help lay the course for my administration, and I greatly appreciate her efforts to fix our schools, create jobs, and build a better Pennsylvania."

"It has been an honor to serve Governor Tom Wolf," said Katie McGinty. "I am proud to have helped to fight to expand Medicaid and eliminate unfair asset tests while advocating for policies that will fund our schools and strengthen our middle class. I will continue to fight for the principles and polices that we worked on in the Wolf Administration including fixing our schools, creating jobs, and advocating for a living wage for our workers."

"Mary Isenhour is one of my closest advisors, and she has served as a valuable part of my administration," said Tom Wolf. "Mary has earned respect from Republicans and Democrats, and she has vast and diverse experience in government that will help to guide my administration. I am eager to continue to work with Mary in her new role as my Chief of Staff."

“It is an honor to serve as Governor Wolf’s Chief of Staff, and I look forward to continuing to work with the governor and the administration to serve the people of Pennsylvania,” said Mary Isenhour. “Governor Wolf has the right priorities for the Commonwelath: schools that teach, jobs that pay, and government that works, and I look forward to working with him to implement his vision.”

As released by the Office of The Attorney General.

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced a Harrisburg magisterial district judge has been charged with theft by extortion, among other crimes, following allegations that he demanded campaign donations from the constables who worked for him.

The charges against Robert Jennings III, 65, 639 Seneca St., Harrisburg, are the result of an investigation by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Investigators allege that Jennings demanded that constables working for him provide 10 percent of their earnings to his re-election campaign fund. This alleged criminal activity occurred as Jennings sought re-election in 2009.

"This is an egregious case of a public servant abusing the powers of his office for financial gain," Attorney General Kane said. "No employee should be subjected to this kind of work environment."

According to a criminal complaint, one constable who worked for Jennings acknowledged that he was shocked when the judge demanded the campaign donations. The constable told an investigator he was initially uncertain whether the request was a joke, but Jennings allegedly stated, "I wear the black robe here." The constable eventually made a $2,000 donation because he feared for his job, the criminal complaint states.

The constable also told the investigator that Jennings said there would be no work for the constables who failed to make the donations. Another constable confirmed the claim to be true, investigators allege. He said he stopped receiving work from Jennings' office after telling the judge he would not pay the 10 percent from his earnings, the criminal complaint states.

A review of campaign finance reports showed that Jennings' re-election campaign received payments of $2,000 and $1,135 from two constables who worked for his office.

The theft by extortion charge filed against Jennings is a third-degree felony. He also is charged with four counts each of criminal coercion, official oppression and demanding property to secure employment. Those charges are misdemeanors.

Jennings' bail was set at $10,000 unsecured following a preliminary arraignment Thursday morning. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 11.

The Office of Attorney General started its investigation of Jennings after receiving a referral from the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board. The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Clarke Madden of the Attorney General's Criminal Prosecutions Section.

The charges are among the Office of Attorney General's ongoing efforts to investigate public corruption.

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Archive 11.14.11

The Judicial Conduct Board filed formal charges against Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Robert Jennings, the Board also filed a complaint seeking interim suspension of Judge Jennings.

The complaint claims that in late 2008 to 2009 Jennings told constables that worked in his office to provide "ten percent" of their earnings from services to his re-election campaign fund.

Read the complaint.

Campaign contributions, Parking tickets, and Offensive statements.

Archive video of Mayor Linda D. Thompson Swearing in ceremony January 4, 2010.

Judge Robert Jennings.