PUBLIC SAFETY

Bradford County district attorney faces multiple counts of sexual assault and other crimes

Jeff Murray
Elmira Star-Gazette

Bradford County District Attorney Chad Salsman, who was elected as a Republican in 2019, has been charged with numerous counts of sexual assault, indecent assault, witness intimidation and other counts following a lengthy investigation by Pennsylvania State Police. 

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the charges during a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda.

State police started the investigation following a tip from Salsman's predecessor Daniel Barrett, a fellow Republican who retired in 2019.

Shapiro brought the charges after a state grand jury heard testimony from several witnesses.

Bradford County District Attorney Chad Salsman

The allegations of assault and other crimes stem from Salsman's interaction with several female clients when he was in private practice, Shapiro said.

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"The details are incredibly disturbing and criminal. Salsman abused his position as a lawyer and as a public official in this county," he said. "These women counted on him, and they ended up being preyed upon. These were clients often facing sensitive legal issues. They were vulnerable and needed an attorney. These are the people Salsman targeted for his own sick gratification."

At least five women who did not know one another came forward and told of how they experienced the same pattern of advances, coercion, and assault at the hands of Salsman when he was a defense attorney, Shapiro said.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Feb. 3, 2021, announced an investigation with more than a dozen charges against the Bradford County DA.

One victim who sought Salsman’s help in a child custody case was allegedly pressured into engaging in sexual acts in exchange for his legal services. 

Another testified that Salsman had represented her boyfriend and another individual who had allegedly raped her.

Salsman said nothing when the client brought up that history, but on a subsequent visit, she submitted to his demands for sex out of fear, she claimed.

Staff from his private law firm testified that Salsman often met with his female clients alone, and would keep the details of their files secret from his own legal staff. 

Staff also noted that they repeatedly saw female clients leave Salsman's office in tears.

During the grand jury investigation, Salsman, after he became district attorney, summoned a former staffer to his office and demanded she report any information she learned during her appearance before the grand jury, according to Shapiro.

Salsman, 44, a Bradford County native, graduated from Wyalusing High School in 1994 and has been a practicing attorney since 2001, according to the county website.

He faces more than a dozen charges, including three counts of sexual assault, five counts of indecent assault, 12 counts of intimidation of a witness or victim, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of prostitution.

See the criminal docket filed in Magisterial District Court here.

Salsman was taken into custody and was processed Wednesday afternoon at the state police barracks in Towanda, Shapiro said.

It's likely there are more victims out there, he added, and encouraged anyone else with allegations against Salsman to contact Pennsylvania State Police.

"These charges can mean very serious time in state prison. Public officials and those with the responsibilities of an attorney must be held accountable to the public," Shapiro said.

"He chose these victims that had legal problems and we believe he did this by design," he said. "They didn't have a choice. He believed they would be easier to silence and would be less believed if they came forward."

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