Olympic gold medalist and former Lehigh County Commissioner Marty Nothstein will spend two years on probation after admitting to harassing his ex-girlfriend in 2024, according to authorities.
Nothstein, 55, of Orefield, pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor offenses of trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said in a news release.
As part of a plea agreement, Nothstein was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to pay fines and have no contact with his ex-girlfriend or her family, the release states. Additionally, he agreed to drop protection-from-abuse orders he filed against the victim. A PFA filed by her against him remains in effect for one more year.
His attorney, Josh Karoly, said Nothstein was involved in a relationship that ended under “difficult circumstances,” and he regrets his role in that and the decisions he made then.
“This matter, which dates back more than two years, has now been resolved. He decided to bring this matter to a close without any further unnecessary attention, and appreciates that it has now been concluded,” Karoly said. “Marty looks ahead to the next chapter of his life with a renewed commitment to his responsibilities and his community.”
Bethlehem police found that Nothstein violated the protection order against him multiple times, and was frequently observed close to his ex-girlfriend’s home, her work and her child’s Little League field between February 2024 and April 2024, according to the DA. There was also a large patch of brown grass in her yard, which investigators believe was caused by herbicides.
Baratta said city police were notified in May 2024, and that Nothstein’s ex-girlfriend ended their relationship three months earlier.
Bethlehem police searched Nothstein’s phone, which confirmed he was near her home, work, her son’s school and baseball field where her son played, the release states. Investigators also discovered internet searches related to her home and herbicides.
Nothstein was charged with stalking in May 2024. Karoly noted that the charges he pleaded to were the lowest level of misdemeanors, and the disorderly conduct is for using obscene language; the harassment is for communicating at unreasonable hours; and the trespass charge is for being somewhere he should not be for a short period of time.
Similar charges were filed against him in recent years. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to trespassing for a series of incidents involving his ex-girlfriend two years earlier. He was sentenced to probation, and was ordered to undergo mental health counseling.
Nothstein won the Olympic cycling silver medal in 1996 and the gold in 2000. He was a county commissioner 2015-19.