On Monday, January 19, 2026, abc27 reported that Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams (D) stated that Judge Jeffrey B. Engle could remain impartial in a lawsuit against the city council, even after the council requested his recusal. The request for recusal came after the council learned that a member of Williams’ legal team had previously represented Judge Engle in a legal matter.
Judge Engle, of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, was randomly assigned to the mayor’s lawsuit, which aims to prevent the city council from defunding four staff positions within the 2026 budget. The council argued that Pennsylvania law requires a judge to recuse themself whenever impartiality is in question, asserting that recusal should occur even if only the appearance of impropriety exists, without needing proof of actual bias.
Williams responded to the council’s request by stating that the motion “lacks merit,” arguing that the decision for recusal rests solely with the judge. She also acknowledged that a lawyer on her team had previously represented Engle but dismissed its relevance, stating that the representation occurred almost a decade ago and is not pertinent to the current matter.
The lawsuit was filed after the council overrode Mayor Williams’ vetoes regarding cuts to salaries for several city positions, including the business administrator, director of building and housing development, project director for business development/LERTA administrator, and the director of community relations and engagement. The central issue of the lawsuit revolves around whether the council improperly exercised its power in a way that violates state law when it defunded these positions.
The city council has already moved to dismiss the lawsuit, characterizing it as a political dispute disguised as a lawsuit. In its filing, the council maintained that it was properly exercising its legislative authority through budgetary and staff decisions, which it considers policy judgments.
The firms representing the parties involved have also been identified. City Solicitor Neil Grove approved the firms, with Harrisburg-based Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC representing Mayor Williams. Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, another local firm, is representing the council.
Source: abc27
