The president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association resigned Tuesday after being charged the same day with soliciting a prostitute.

“Earlier today, our leadership team was notified that a misdemeanor charge was filed against the 2020-21 president, David Schwager. He has resigned,” said Pennsylvania Bar Association Executive Director Barry M. Simpson in a statement Tuesday.

Court records show solicitation as the lone charge against Kingston resident Schwager, 58, a Luzerne County attorney. The charge was filed by Luzerne County detectives Tuesday.

According to charging documents, Schwager spoke with county detectives Dec. 30, 2019, accusing a woman of extorting him.

That woman has been identified as Emily Ann Merth, 25, of Allentown, and she has been charged with promoting prostitution, theft by extortion and sexual extortion.

Detectives said Schwager had met Merth to pursue her services, but as the two began having sex, Schwager noticed she was recording on a mobile device.

According to detectives, Schwager left immediately after arguing about his being recorded, and then some time later, the woman texted him asking for a payment of $1,000 or she would post the video.

Documents said after her arrest, Merth admitted to detectives she and Schwager had done business, texting him to extort more money from him and using her cellphone for these alleged transgressions.

Detectives said evidence was found on Merth's cellphone aligning with the stories.

Court records show both cases are awaiting preliminary hearings.

Schwager, who serves as an assistant solicitor for Luzerne County, was placed on administrative leave without pay Tuesday, according to a Times Leader report.

President-elect Kathleen D. Wilkinson automatically becomes the association's president.