Sources: Montco GOP chair facing assault investigation

NORRISTOWN Montgomery County prosecutors are investigating allegations that Robert J. Kerns, chairman of the county Republican Committee, sexually assaulted a woman who works at his Lansdale law firm, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.

The alleged assault occurred in his car after a party in late October, the sources said.

Kerns, 66, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Defense lawyer Brian McMonagle confirmed that he represented Kerns in a criminal matter, but said it would be premature to say more.

Kevin R. Steele, Montgomery County first assistant district attorney, said he could not confirm or deny any investigation.

Kerns, a partner in the firm of Kerns, Pearlstine, Onorato & Hladik, is married with three adult children. He is also the solicitor for Upper Gwynedd, West Norriton, and Trappe, and the Police Chiefs Association of Montgomery County, according to its website.

Kerns' firm's website went dark Wednesday and later was replaced by a message saying it was under construction. TV news trucks were parked outside his law office. Detectives earlier impounded his car in search of DNA evidence, sources said.

The county GOP has been trying to repair the image of a party wracked by infighting. Last month, the committee drew Gov. Corbett to its annual reception in East Norriton, where Kerns announced that state power broker Bob Asher and Gladwyne billionaire Vahan Gureghian would set aside a years-long dispute to jointly lead the committee's fund-raising efforts.

Kerns said he was pleased to remain as chairman and to develop a new strategy to regain a foothold in a county where Democratic registration has been rising consistently since the 1990s.

Kerns ran for the GOP chairmanship four times before winning in 2008. He survived calls for his ouster after the 2011 election, in which Democrats took control of the county Board of Commissioners for the first time in 130 years and Montgomery was one of only four counties that did not vote for Corbett.

Several committee members, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Kerns had not resigned or signaled an intention to withdraw from his party position or any of his solicitorships, but that party leaders were already discussing candidates to replace him.