Official resigns over harassment of 4-year-old girl

A Limerick Township Supervisor has resigned after a newspaper reported he pleaded guilty to a harassment charge after he allegedly gave a 4-year-old girl a wedgie at a popular shopping center.

Frank Kotch, a Republican who was up for re-election this year, submitted a written resignation and took shots at the media for conducting what he termed a "witch hunt."

From a story in today's edition of The Pottstown Mercury:

According to West Whiteland police and court records, Kotch paid a $422 fine on a summary harassment charge for a Sept. 30, 2008, incident at a Best Buy kiosk in the Exton Square Mall.

A 41-year-old Valley Township woman told police that the Limerick supervisor and store employee gave her 4-year-old daughter a wedgie, asked her daughter the color of her underwear, and patted the child's rear end.

Several sources said Kotch disputed only the last part of that account.

His resignation letter states:

"Over the past several days I have received an incredible demonstration of support from family members, friends, acquaintances and community members and I thank them for their encouragement.

"The negative effects of the witch hunt that resulted from sensational reporting without careful investigation, has caused undue distress for my family members and friends, as well as myself."

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.