TRUMBULL COUNTY Court upholds state action in Altiere election case

An attorney representing the sheriff declined to comment on the ruling.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The 5th District Court of Appeals says the Ohio Secretary of State's office can intervene in the disputed re-election of Thomas Altiere as Trumbull County sheriff.
Atty. Charles Ohlin, who represents Altiere, declined to comment on Wednesday's court ruling.
Altiere filed a lawsuit in December asking the appeals court to force the elections board to certify his re-election to a third four-year term.
The 11th District Court of Appeals in Warren sent the case to the 5th District court in Canton because the 11th District judges know Altiere.
The election's board has refused to certify Altiere's election because the Ohio Elections Commission and the local board of elections are investigating allegations of campaign finance violations.
The elections board voted 2-2 in December along party lines on the certification of Altiere's re-election. Altiere is a Democrat.
Blackwell's decision: The tie was referred to Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican, who decided late last month not to certify Altiere.
Blackwell has said in a letter to the elections board that Altiere's election should not be certified until the board has determined that he has fully complied with campaign finance reporting laws.
Altiere has denied wrongdoing and said he has done everything he was asked to do.