On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the York Daily Record reported that York County Judge Steven Stambaugh has been reinstated to his position on the bench following the dismissal of fraud charges against him. Stambaugh had been suspended without pay since October 2024, after being accused of fraud, tampering with a witness, and obstruction of justice.
The reinstatement order comes from the state Court of Judicial Discipline, prompted by the U.S. Attorney’s office’s decision to dismiss the indictment against Stambaugh after he entered a diversionary program. The disciplinary board stated that Stambaugh’s initial suspension was “based solely on the existence of an indictment” and, with that indictment now dismissed, “no reason exists for that suspension to continue.” The court order explicitly states that the suspension without pay is lifted due to the dismissal of the indictment with prejudice by the United States.
Stambaugh was elected to the York County Court in 2021. The accusations leading to his suspension involved allegations that he instructed employees of his personal injury law firm to apply for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite them continuing to work. He was also accused of soliciting a witness to provide false information to investigators.
Despite his reinstatement, Stambaugh’s legal troubles may not be entirely over. State Representative Seth Grove, a Republican representing York County, has introduced a bill seeking an investigation into Stambaugh’s conduct to determine whether he should be removed from office. As of the report, that bill remains pending.
Source: York Daily Record
