Former Montco GOP Chairman Robert Kerns Charged With Rape, Other Offenses
Former Montgomery County GOP Chairman Robert Kerns Kerns appeared for arraignment in front of District Judge Robert Sobeck in Blue Bell Tuesday afternoon after the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office announced his arrest during a press conference for allegedly raping a former employee in October.
Kerns, 66, of the unit block of North Lane in North Wales, is being charged for allegedly drugging and raping a former 51-year-old employee of his law firm Kerns, Pearlstine, Onorato, and Hladnik, LLP. The charges against Kerns were filed on Nov. 25. According to District Attorney Risa Ferman, Kerns surrendered himself to Montgomery County Detectives on Tuesday morning.
According to Ferman, the alleged rape took place on Oct. 25 after a work celebration at the Radice restaurant in Whitpain. At the end of the work party, Kerns allegedly offered the victim a ride to the King of Prussia Mall. According to a press release from the district attorney’s office, during the car ride, Kerns opened a bottle of wine and encouraged the employee to drink from it. She then passed out. The press release says when the victim was unconscious he allegedly raped her.
Investigators learned that after the party, before Kerns left, he paid the bar bill with a credit card. According to the grand jury’s presentment, Kerns allegedly bought another bottle of chardonnay from the bar before leaving. The bartender working on the night of the alleged incident told investigators he gave Kerns two wine glasses to take with him when he bought the bottle.
According to the press release, the sexual abuse did not end in the car. The victim told investigators she remembers directing Kerns to her house and being taken to her bedroom by Kerns. Once in the bedroom, Kerns allegedly raped the victim again.
The charges: