SAXONBURG — All charges have been dropped against a Penn Township man who was accused of rape in September.

Rape, sexual assault and all other charges against Lewis Lauschus, 63, were withdrawn by the Butler County District Attorney's Office Oct. 25 when a preliminary hearing was scheduled before District Judge Sue Haggerty.

Richard Bosco, assistant district attorney, said in an interview that charges were filed by township police based on statements made by a woman who was believed to be the victim. She also was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital for injuries, which were listed in the criminal complaint.

However, before the preliminary hearing the victim recanted her initial statement and presented a different account of what had happened and how she was injured. With a court reporter present Oct. 25, she again recanted her initial statements.

“We did not feel we could proceed in good faith,” Bosco said.

The investigating officer in the case proceeded properly at each step of the investigation, Bosco added.

Kurt Rishor, Lauschus' attorney, said that it was embarrassing for his client to be charged, but the prosecutors made the right decision.

“I appreciate the way Mr. (District Attorney Richard) Goldinger's office would handle a case like this,” Rishor said. “Justice prevailed.”