In the past several weeks, the McKean County Public Defender
resigned, then was rehired to his position with the same salary a
short while later.

On Friday, McKean County Legal Director Michele Alfieri
confirmed that Ron Langella had submitted his resignation recently
and was later re-hired for the same position.

“He did offer his resignation, and it was accepted by the board
of commissioners,” Alfieri – who is also human resources director
for the county – said Friday. She did not give a specific date for
Langella’s actions, explaining that she was at a conference out of
the area and did not have the information immediately
available.

She did not give a reason for Langella’s decision to depart from
his job and to later return, saying she would not discuss personnel
matters.

Calls to Langella’s office and home on Friday were not
immediately returned.

Alfieri said that following Langella’s resignation, he collected
his contributions toward his county retirement plan.

“He did then withdraw his entitlement from his county pension,”
she said, explaining he had withdrawn the amount that he had
contributed to the employee pension fund “as any employee is
entitled to do.”

County Manager Dick Casey said he believed the time period that
Langella was off was “about two weeks as I recall,” and then the
attorney approached the commissioners about being re-hired for the
position.

Alfieri said simply, “He did then ask for his job back and was
re-hired.”

She explained that Langella, who also serves as guardian al
litem (a child’s advocate in court), was appointed to both
positions. Therefore, when he vacated the positions, the county was
not obligated to advertise the vacancies.

“With all appointed positions, it is not necessary it be
advertised,” Alfieri said. “The position is filled at the pleasure
of the person in charge of the position.”

Langella draws a salary of $39,785 as public defender and
$23,175 as guardian ad litem. He also serves in an advisory
capacity on the McKean County Prison Board.

It was not clear Friday night how long Langella has served as
public defender.