An undisclosed settlement has been reached in the lawsuit against former Centre County Assistant District Attorney Lance Marshall, who was accused of offering court favors in exchange for sex.
Marshall, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira and Centre County were sued in February by a woman involved in a domestic abuse incident. She alleged that Marshall sent her more than 250 explicit text messages and voicemails in 2008, according to court documents. The lawsuit also states Marshall intercepted her phone conversations and solicited sex for court favors.
Joseph Green, the attorney representing Centre County, said the terms of the settlement are confidential but emphasized the county didn't have to pay any monetary compensation.
Madeira said this is the resolution to the lawsuit that he has been hoping for.
"We're being dismissed from the lawsuit, and we're not paying anything," he said.
Marshall's attorney, Gary Weber, said he couldn't comment on the case but stated that "it's settled."
Bernie Cantorna, the woman's attorney, said although an agreement has been reached, the settlement will not be official until later this week. He would not comment further.
The woman sued on the basis of invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil rights violations and the unlawful interception of telephone communications.
Marshall's resignation from his position as assistant district attorney took effect Dec. 31, 2008 -- shortly after the woman came to Madeira and said Marshall had sent her dozens of explicit text messages during the prosecution of her case.
The woman said in January she received up to 20 text messages a day from Marshall -- the most inappropriate ones usually sent after 9 or 10 p.m. -- something that began after a Dec. 4 meeting with Marshall.
