Bucks County Coroner Refiles Lawsuit Against Commissioners

The budget battle between the Bucks County Coroner and the the Bucks County Commissioners is back on after a brief truce.

Coroner Meredith Buck, who took office in January 2020, refiled a lawsuit Friday against the commissioners, calling for them to provide more than $1.03 million in funding to her office. She has claimed that her office will run out of money by April 30.

The refiled lawsuit claims the commissioners “slashed the coroner’s budget by $1,033,000 or 66.8 percent.”

“This unlawful act was done maliciously and without so much as conversation or consultation with the coroner,” Buck said.

The commissioners declined to comment on Buck’s lawsuit earlier this month and the refile on Friday.

Buck filed a lawsuit making the same claims earlier this month, but she withdrew it within hours.

Shedding new light on the first filing of the lawsuit and a strange press conference on Thursday, March 18, Buck said she withdrew her first lawsuit in “good faith” as a meeting was set for this past Thursday. She said she came to the meeting this week with attorney Larry Otter and found out the commissioner’s attorney cancelled the meeting.

“They left me with no option but to refile,” the coroner said.

The coroner claims in the lawsuit a budget that is not fully funded will hurt the office’s efforts to conduct death investigations, perform toxicology testing, and assist the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Due to COVID-19, the coroner’s office was busy last year.

“Cutting the coroner’s office budget was intentionally and outrageously irresponsible, especially in light of public health and safety concerns not only with the pandemic but, also with the assistance this office provides to law enforcement in drug related deaths and homicides,” Buck said.

While the elected row officers, like the coroner, are independent departments, the commissioners oversee budgeting for those offices.

Sources familiar with county government noted to LevittownNow.com on Friday that the nature of the in-part funding was uncommon. One former row officer, who wished to not have their name published, speculated the spat between the coroner and commissioners indicated there was distrust between the commissioners and Buck.

The county’s chief financial officer said in a statement earlier this month that the coroner’s office had funding allotted in thirds for 2021.

“The coroner’s budget has not been cut; it will be allocated in thirds for 2021. The coroner is currently under budget. The commissioners have a fiduciary responsibility to oversee the county budget, which includes the row offices. They manage that process publicly and to the letter of the law,” Bucks County Chief Financial Officer David Boscola said.

Exhibits attached to Buck’s lawsuit include March 2020 emails between Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Buck.

A review of the emails indicate Buck’s office had staffing issues and the commissioners wanted to send one of their top staffers to review the office’s operations. Ellis-Marseglia advised Buck, a nurse and attorney, that she needs to have “independent eyes” look at her office and records.

“I will not be deterred from performing my duty, no matter what type of pressure is applied,” Buck said Friday.

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