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5:30 p.m. update: County official subject of courthouse threats investigation
Published: November 12, 2009
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share thisIncreased security at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda this past Tuesday was due to allegedly threatening statements attributed to Prothnotary Sally Vaughn, District Attorney Dan Barrett revealed this afternoon.
The circumstances remain under investigation. No charges have been filed.
The circumstances remain under investigation. No charges have been filed.
Ms. Vaughn was not in her office this afternoon.
Here is the district attorney's statement:
Here is the district attorney's statement:
"On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the courthouse security was increased due to a
threat report.
"The alert was lifted by Thursday, when the courthouse reopened after
Veteran’s Day.
"The threat report originated from Dale Lafy. Mr. Lafy told police that
Prothonotary Sally Vaughn had told him that she wanted to harm persons
at the courthouse. Mr. Lafy has been dating Mrs. Vaughn for a few
months. Their current relationship is not known.
"Mrs. Vaughn could not be located Tuesday afternoon. Police met her at
her home Tuesday evening. She was cooperative.
"The investigation is not complete. Mrs. Vaughn has not been
interviewed by police at this point. She was not in her office on
Thursday.
"There is no evidence that any steps were taken to carry out the
alleged threats. No alleged threats were made at the courthouse.
"No charges have been filed. The investigation will continue, and the
Towanda Police Department has asked this office to handle the
investigation.
"In most situations, we would decline to be as specific at this point
in the investigation. The security alert has led to significant
publicity and some has been inaccurate. For that reason, we will
disclose this information, and ask the press and public to understand
that at this point, we have heard from only Mr. Lafy and not yet from
Mrs. Vaughn."
threat report.
"The alert was lifted by Thursday, when the courthouse reopened after
Veteran’s Day.
"The threat report originated from Dale Lafy. Mr. Lafy told police that
Prothonotary Sally Vaughn had told him that she wanted to harm persons
at the courthouse. Mr. Lafy has been dating Mrs. Vaughn for a few
months. Their current relationship is not known.
"Mrs. Vaughn could not be located Tuesday afternoon. Police met her at
her home Tuesday evening. She was cooperative.
"The investigation is not complete. Mrs. Vaughn has not been
interviewed by police at this point. She was not in her office on
Thursday.
"There is no evidence that any steps were taken to carry out the
alleged threats. No alleged threats were made at the courthouse.
"No charges have been filed. The investigation will continue, and the
Towanda Police Department has asked this office to handle the
investigation.
"In most situations, we would decline to be as specific at this point
in the investigation. The security alert has led to significant
publicity and some has been inaccurate. For that reason, we will
disclose this information, and ask the press and public to understand
that at this point, we have heard from only Mr. Lafy and not yet from
Mrs. Vaughn."
See The Review's Friday editions for additional developments.
