Wilson holds off on action against borough solicitor over drug allegations

WILSON, Pa. — Wilson Borough Council opted to take no action Monday in regard to its solicitor, who was charged with drug possession last week, and instead voiced some support for him.

Solicitor Stan Margle III spoke at the meeting about charges levied against him, with council ultimately deciding not to take action until all the facts are in.

Margle allegedly left a briefcase containing a cigar box with cocaine, a razor blade and straws in a waiting room at Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center on Feb. 13.

A sheriff’s deputy opened the bag to search for identification to return it found the cigar box and its contents, authorities said.

Margle was charged with possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

“As everyone on council and probably the public is aware, there was a story in the press last week about an incident that involved a briefcase being left at the juvenile center court room and subsequently being determined to be allegedly have some narcotics in it," Margle said at the meeting.

"I found out about this incident unfortunately from a council member here who is a friend of mine, and also a client. And I was embarrassed to tell him I didn’t know anything about it.

"He didn’t believe me at first, but later, as we talked, he did. Unfortunately, I’m constrained by the law and ethics to comment substantively on what has happened.

"I can, however, say I’m embarrassed to have clients, private and public in Wilson Borough and Bethlehem Township, Bangor, East Allen Township and others, all of whom have been named unfortunately in the press.”

'Damage is already done'

Margle said he did not want his clients to suffer any damages or criticisms from the public for working with him based on “an allegation that is unsavory.”

Saying he could do nothing about any stories being spread in the community, Margle said he aims to “move diligently to have this, in whatever way, quietly and peacefully behind me, and therefore behind us.”

“However, the damage is already done. If a person is interested in taking down someone who is in the public eye like me, or a working member of council here — same thing — they can do it,” Margle said.

He said, “it doesn’t matter if the allegations are true, because the damage is done, and the person who was behind it has won.”

Margle suggested the allegation of drug possession will follow him “for the rest of my career, my life, as did a false allegation about 15 years ago — which turned out to be false, untrue and unfounded.”

He said he did not wish for any client of his to have to explain why they work with or associate with him.

“If that were to occur, the council could take appropriate action and I accept whatever decision that is, with regret, but without any clamor or any argument. I won’t do that,” Margle said.

He said he will do “whatever he can” to resolve the legal matter as quickly and quietly as possible.

'I can empathize'

Council Vice President Russ Lipari spoke in support of Margle facing the court of public opinion, citing his own experience.

“Some of you who know me know that I tried to build up a personal and public reputation over the last 40 years in this area," Lipari said.

"And because of one alleged incident — and I say ‘alleged’ because it was never proven — my reputation was shattered the same way as Mr. Margle’s by another unit within this borough.

"So I can empathize with what he is going through."

Lipari said it was “easy for people who don’t know the situations to throw stones like it’s nobody’s business."

"But if you can find anybody out there who is not guilty of sin, go ahead — cast all the stones you want,” he said.

He said he was never able to speak out about his own experience in court “due to the accuser.”

“It is so easy for any one of us based on a false or alleged allegation to lose whatever reputation they may have built up over decades, so I can empathize," Lipari said.

"I don’t know all the facts, and that’s why I did not make any comments, because I don’t know all the facts, and at this point, it doesn’t matter to me.”

'The best thing for the borough'

Mayor Donald R. Barrett Jr. reminded the public that Margle is considered innocent until proven guilty.

“I have friends who have died from addiction," Burke said. "I have friends who are addicts. I had an uncle who Russ knows very well who went to AA meetings.

“And based on the situation, I’m going to wait to see how everything plays out before I make any other additional comments or judgment.

"It’s not for me to judge. I’m not the judicial branch of the government, but I am the one who takes all the phone calls and the complaints, so I’m just waiting to see where this goes.

"And at the end of the day, it’s council’s decision on how anything would be handled.”

Council President John J. Burke IV said it was not up to council to pass judgment, as it did not have all the information available.

He said he empathizes with those who deal with addiction.

“Until that day comes, and until Mr. Margle has his day in court, we’ve got to ultimately do what’s best for the borough," Burke said.

"We, as a unit, feel that Stan sitting here right now is still the best thing for this borough."

Margle said he is a professional who serves at the pleasure of borough council, and when asked about his employment conditions with council, told the board, “You could fire me at any time.”

While council broke for a caucus to discuss potential action, no vote was taken, and subsequently, no actions were taken, with council opting to wait until “things unfold.”