WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Whitehall Township's tax collector and treasurer, months after losing the mayoral election, is accusing the township administrator of obstructing her job and is threatening legal action.
Tina Koren has been subject to "a series of possible civil rights and other violations" and is seeking legal remedies, according to her lawyer, Matthew Mobilio.
"Since becoming the tax collector for Whitehall Township and running for Mayor, Ms. Tina Koren has been faced with unprecedented obstruction in performing the duties that Whitehall residents elected her to handle."Attorney Matthew Mobilio, in a release
"Since becoming the tax collector for Whitehall Township and running for Mayor, Ms. Tina Koren has been faced with unprecedented obstruction in performing the duties that Whitehall residents elected her to handle," Mobilio said in a release.
Koren did not immediately respond to a request for comment after release of the statement.
According to the release, Koren has been subject to "frivolous" and "unfounded" grievances filed against her, a "rebellion" within the lower ranks of the tax office.
In addition, Mayor Joseph Marx (spelled "Marks" in the release), to whom Koren lost the election, tried to have Koren arrested for recording a public meeting while he served as president of township commissioners, the release says.
Heated and close election race
Mobilio said that when Koren requested an internal investigation regarding the retaliation, she was laughed at and ridiculed by the township human resources department.
And during her recent run for mayor, Marx tried to keep her off of the ballot, it says.
A heated and close race ended in defeat for Koren in November 2023, after Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. opted not to seek re-election.
Marx won, with 2,615 votes to Koren's 2,494 votes.
Marx at the time said he refused to debate Koren, stating it was "because I don’t respect the woman."
Mobilio also said Marx "took it upon himself to have letters printed on official Whitehall Township letterhead, which were unsigned, undated and apparently not approved by the township commissioners, hung in the tax office attempting to publicly shame Mrs. Koren, and suggest she somehow acted improperly."
Marx also restricted Koren's physical access to all township offices other than the tax office restricted, Mobilio said.
'Sacred responsibilities of her offfice'
"Mrs. Koren is an elected official," Mobilio said in the release. "She is in her position because the voters believed in and trusted her to responsibly and respectfully manage the office of the treasurer and tax collection.
"The sacred responsibilities of her office, bestowed upon her by the voters and taxpayers of Whitehall Township, is being infringed upon and being made nearly impossible to execute, all thanks to a few select employees and elected officials of the township with personal vendettas against her."
"Mrs. Koren has a job to do, and we are going to make sure she can get that job done without interference."Attorney Matthew Mobilio, in a release
Mobilio stated that his office is investigating potential legal actions, such as a possible federal civil rights lawsuit, and other legal action on grounds of defamation, injunctive relief and emotional distress claims, among other actions.
"Mrs. Koren has a job to do, and we are going to make sure she can get that job done without interference," the release concludes.
Township officials did not respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday.
Township 'cannot comment'
Whitehall Township said in a statement on Facebook from Aug. 27 that it cannot publicly comment on personnel matters regarding employees.
"It is the Township's position that confidential information regarding employees should not be shared or discussed in public. Recently, allegations related to Tax Office employees, other Township employees, the Township Administration and the Township Board of Commissioners were made on social media and to the press," the statement reads.
"Rest assured, the Township has taken all appropriate steps to address concerns regarding the Tax Office and will continue to support Township employees and address all appropriately raised concerns."
The statement said the Township Administration and Board of Commissioners has "a key priority" of "ensuring that all money paid to the Tax Office is handled carefully," adding that only employees subject to specialized background checks "are permitted to accept payments at the payment windows."
"Additional dual controls are in place to ensure that all taxes and fees collected are properly accounted for. These rules prevent the Township from simply reassigning employees to the Tax Office or using temporary staff if there are times when staffing is limited," the statement says.
It iterates that all staff working within the tax office "are township employees."
"The Township Treasurer has the power under the Township Home Rule Charter to appoint such other employees as she determines are required to perform her job functions," the statement says. "The Treasurer has not appointed any of her own employees to assist with duties that she believes are not being properly performed by Township employees."
Reporter Phil Gianficaro contributed to this article.
