WARREN Probe focuses on councilman

The councilman says he put the money in an envelope and forgot about it, calling it an 'honest mistake.'
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police are investigating an allegation of a discrepancy in contributions collected by a councilman for a campaign committee promoting a city income tax increase.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos confirmed Friday that his department is looking into whether Ron White Sr., D-4th, mishandled cash he collected.
"There are several different things we have to look at," Mandopoulos said.
On May 8, voters will decide the fate of a proposed 0.5-percent income tax increase. The city has vowed to use the revenue to boost police and fire services depleted when the city made drastic budget cuts last year.
His response: White said Friday that rumors that he mishandled the money are untrue.
He collected about $130 in checks and cash in the last few weeks that he said he intended to immediately turn over to campaign chairmen.
"I put it in an envelope and forgot about it at my house," White said. "I'm no liar, no thief."
He said he turned the money over to a campaign chairman Thursday, along with a list of people who contributed and the amounts.
"It was an honest mistake," White said. "It was not turned over in a timely fashion."
Mandopoulos has told council on several occasions that campaign committee members could accept only checks or money orders.
White said he collected the money before Mandopoulos made that announcement.
White lost his job at CSC Ltd. when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January. With that going on, White said, it was easy to forget about the money he collected.
What he's considering: Because his intentions have been questioned by colleagues, White said he may resign his position as chairman of council's police and fire committee and see if he can switch committee appointments with Brendan J. Keating, D-5th, who heads up the operations committee.
White faces political newcomers Tristan Hand and Robert Holmes III in the May 8 race for 4th Ward councilman.
"This is a matter between the city, the police department and Ron White," Hand said.
Holmes was unavailable.