Trial date set for former state senator accused of inappropriately touching staffer

Former State Sen. Daniel McKeon will go to trial in March over allegations that he inappropriately touched a legislative staffer at an end-of-session party last year.

McKeon faces one count of disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor. He is accused of making a sexually explicit joke to a legislative staffer and touching her buttocks over her clothing. He was initially cited for public indecency, but the charge was amended to disturbing the peace.

If convicted of disturbing the peace, McKeon would face a maximum penalty of three months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

At Monday’s hearing, Lancaster County Court Judge Matt Acton ordered McKeon to appear for a bench trial on March 19. That means the case will be heard and decided by a judge instead of a jury.

McKeon and his attorney, Perry Pirsch, initially appeared at Monday’s hearing via Zoom without permission from the judge. Acton ordered them to come to the courthouse in person, and McKeon and Pirsch arrived about 10 minutes later.

McKeon resigned from the Legislature earlier this month, just minutes before debate was set to begin on a motion to expel him from the Legislature. The Legislature’s Executive Board unanimously recommended that he be expelled.