Schuylkill County closed one of the darkest chapters in its history Wednesday.

Almost.

But it cost the county $1.75 million, so far.

The commissioners approved an agreement to settle lawsuits with three women who charged former commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. with sexual misconduct.

The settlement with Melissa Goodman, Angela Toomey and Denise Gerchak includes “non-admission of any liability by the county” and the payment of $3.2 million by the county and its insurance carriers.

Commissioner Chairman Larry Padora read a prepared statement.

“Today we remove a cloud that has been hanging over the county for five years,” Padora read. “We, as your county commissioners, firmly believe that the settlement we approved today is in the best interest of the women, the county, its employees and its citizens. But make no mistake, the actions of a single individual have cost Schuylkill County dearly and set the stage for all that followed. It is now time to move on from this sad chapter in our county’s history.”

Padora said to ensure there is no repeat of the situation, safeguards have been put in place.

“We are proud to have implemented policies, procedures and training for all county employees and elected officials designed to avoid a recurrence of the issues which led to this costly litigation,” Padora said. “We have made every effort to maintain confidence in the county government and restore our county’s reputation. We will continue to address the county’s business and implement new and innovative ideas, but without impediment of this lengthy and time-consuming litigation.”

The lawsuit cost the county $1.5 million, plus another $200,000 to settle a previous suit.

There is one lawsuit left, concerning Jane Doe #5, which was just filed, Padora said.

Goodman will get $1,066,666.67, consisting of $157,134.56 to her and $122,211.05 to her attorneys, Catherine W. Lowry and Derek Smith Law Group, and $472,392.64 to Goodman and $314,928.42 to Lowry and the Smith Law Group.

Angela Toomey gets $1,066.666.66, with $629,659.05 to Toomey and $437,007 to Lowry and Smith Law Group.

Gerchak gets $1,066,666.67, with $629,659.06 to her, and $437,007.61 to Lowry and the Smith Law Group.

The county’s insurance carriers will pay $1.55 million, and $100,000 by Hubric Resources. Of the $1.55 million, $1,302,607 will be paid to Lowry and the Smith Law Group, and $247,302.94 to Goodman.

The agreement was reached March 11 during a pretrial conference in the United States District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania