A former Pennsylvania county Republican Party head faces 19 criminal charges tied to allegations he raped and assaulted a 51-year-old female colleague, then tampered with evidence and lied to police during questioning.
Robert Kerns, 66, a married father of three, resigned from his Montgomery County Republican Party position a few weeks ago just after the charges surfaced, the Daily Mail reported.
The alleged victim worked with Mr. Kerns at his Lansdale law firm.
“I give great credit to the victim in this case,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman in the Daily Mail. “She was extremely courageous in coming forward.”
The alleged attack took place after a work-related celebration at a restaurant, when Mr. Kerns offered her a ride, the Daily Mail reported. He allegedly took a bottle of wine, into which he dropped Ambien, and then served it to her.
“At some point between the time she drank the wine provided by Kerns and lost consciousness and the time she regained her memory as they entered her neighborhood, the victim has a vague memory of her head up against the car window and pushing Kerns away,” the grand jury report stated, as the Daily Mail reported.
Mr. Kerns then drove to her home, allegedly helped her inside and assaulted her again, the report said. Mr. Kerns, through his attorney, denied the allegations.
Court documents indicate the victim’s urine contained traces of Ambien, a drug she said she’s never taken, the Daily Mail reported. Mr. Kerns reportedly turned himself into authorities late Tuesday.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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