PHILLIPSBURG, NJ (Warren County) – A third Phillipsburg High School teacher is facing criminal charges in an alleged tenure scheme targeting a school district employee, Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer announced Friday.
Scott P. Silvas, 42, of Nazareth PA, whose the assistant wrestling coach and a math teacher, was charged after a continued investigation into a threat made against a Phillipsburg School District employee.
Silvas was arrested after the investigation revealed he provided material support to previously charged math teacher George Chilmonik, 74, of Bethlehem, PA and head wrestling coach David Post, 36, of Phillipsburg to carry out the threat, Pfeiffer said.
Chilmonik and Post allegedly conspired to threaten, and did threaten a Phillipsburg School District Employee that they would release embarrassing information about that employee if that employee did not advocate for their interests before the Phillipsburg Board of Education, Pfeiffer said.
Silvas was charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct, third-degree conspiracy to commit criminal coercion, and third-degree conspiracy to commit threats and improper influence in official and political matters. He was being held at the Warren County Correctional Center pending his first court appearance, Pfeiffer said.
Second-degree offenses carry a maximum of ten years in New Jersey State Prison and third-degree offenses carry a maximum of five years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption North Unit are conducting the investigation.
