Dec 21, 2015 2 min read

Editor’s note: Charges against Gary Bertosh were withdrawn Feb. 16 (see related story).

A preliminary hearing scheduled Monday for a former Washington County department chief accused of threatening co-workers was postponed.

Gary Bertosh, charged with two misidemeanor counts of making terroristic threats against employees of the building and grounds department, is now scheduled to appear in late January before District Judge Robert Redlinger.

Bertosh’s employment as director of the building and grounds department was terminated Dec. 9, according to Kathleen Bali, director of the county’s human resources department.

He worked for the county since 2005 in a job that paid about $64,200 yearly.

Two employees reported the alleged Dec. 3 incident the next day, telling city police Bertosh was upset about county health insurance not covering a prescription medication and that he threatened to “shoot anybody that crosses my path,” among other statements.

Police filed charges Dec. 7 against Bertosh, 54, a South Strabane Township resident who remains free on his own recognizance.

Bertosh’s attorney, Joseph Yablonski, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.