<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4YgJc0_1GwfwR6C00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YgJc0_1GwfwR6C00" width="1500" height="1000" ></figure>Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy, inset, has sued to overturn the county commissioners’ decision to dissolve the prison board and require him to serve as warden of the Venango County Prison, pictured.FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy has sued to overturn the county commissioners’ decision to dissolve the prison board and require him to run the county prison, alleging the move violated state law and the Pennsylvania Constitution.The lawsuit, filed in Venango County Court of Common Pleas, asks a judge to declare the commissioners’ August 11 vote invalid from the outset. Foy argues commissioners had no authority to dissolve the board unilaterally and cannot require him to perform a second full-time job under an arrangement that changes his compensation during his elected term. Calls to the county commissioners seeking comment were not immediately returned. The complaint names the Venango County Board of Commissioners and the county’s Board of Inspectors of the County Prison, commonly known as the prison board, as defendants. It says the prison board was included to satisfy requirements of the Declaratory Judgment Act and does not accuse its noncommissioner members of wrongdoing. Commissioners Sam Breene, Ken Bryan, and Tim Heffernan voted to dissolve the board less than two weeks after warden Jason Batykefer was relieved of his duties on July 29. Foy had been president of the prison board before the change. Foy alleges commissioners did not discuss their plans with him or ask whether he was willing to serve as warden before voting. The complaint says the proposal was not discussed at a public prison board meeting and the board never voted to dissolve itself. Venango County is a sixth-class county. The complaint cites a state law allowing counties in that classification to establish prison boards by resolution of their commissioners. Foy’s attorneys argue that once such a board is established, authority over prison governance and management rests with that board. They contend the law contains no provision allowing commissioners to dissolve it on their own. The lawsuit challenges the commissioners’ decision to give Foy an additional $2,000 annually to perform the warden’s duties while continuing to serve as sheriff. Foy argues the arrangement violates Article III, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which prohibits increasing or diminishing a public officer’s salary or benefits after election or appointment. His current term began in January and runs through December 2029. The complaint argues that requiring Foy to perform two full-time jobs effectively reduces his pay. It says previous full-time wardens earned more annually than Foy’s current salary as sheriff, though it does not provide those figures. The prison has a capacity of 174 inmates and an average daily population of 149 this year, according to the complaint. The warden’s responsibilities include supervising about 35 employees, overseeing inmate medical care and food services, and managing facility security, maintenance, and upgrades. Foy’s attorneys argue that the warden’s duties also come with a housing benefit: a residence at the prison. They contend that giving him that benefit during his elected term violates the same constitutional provision, and that the county has no appropriate residence available for him or a subordinate. The commissioners’ decision followed years of turnover in the warden’s position. Since longtime warden Jeffrey Ruditis retired in 2020, the prison has had a series of permanent, acting, and interim wardens. Batykefer had been hired in February. After Batykefer’s departure and before the commissioners’ vote, Foy said Deputy Warden Anthony Faraone was serving as acting warden and prison operations were continuing normally. Foy is seeking a court declaration on the legality of the commissioners’ action, not monetary damages. He is represented by attorneys Thomas E. Breth and Thomas W. King III of Dillon McCandless King Coulter &amp; Graham LLP. </div></body>

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FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy has sued to overturn the county commissioners’ decision to dissolve the prison board and require him to run the county prison, alleging the move violated state law and the Pennsylvania Constitution. The lawsuit, filed in Venango County Court of...

Venango County Sheriff Sues Over Prison Board Dissolution, Warden Duties

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FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Venango County Sheriff Eric Foy has sued to overturn the county commissioners’ decision to dissolve the prison board and require him 

Venango County Sheriff Sues Over Prison Board Dissolution, Warden Duties

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