TRUMBULL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Detectives to get written reprimands

Both detectives have denied any wrongdoing.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two Trumbull County detectives involved in a fight in the parking lot of a Niles bar will receive written reprimands, Sheriff Thomas Altiere says.
Altiere said Tuesday that he finished reviewing the internal report regarding the Nov. 10 fight and felt that both detectives, Peter Pizzulo and Anthony Leshnack, violated the department's "standards of conduct, exercising common sense and affirmatively promoting the organization's values."
"I read through the whole internal report and all the statements and felt most of the statements were too conflicting to do anything else with," Altiere said. "I feel the written reprimands are sufficient."
Altiere added he has had no previous problems with either detective.
"They will continue working in the detective bureau and, as far as I am concerned, the matter is closed," the sheriff said.
Fight: Pizzulo and Leshnack were involved in a fight at Gasoline Alley, 500 Vienna Ave., with Steven and Brian Tabor of Nash Street and Paul Benedict, also of Niles. No street address was given for Benedict.
Leshnack has said he was attacked by the Tabors and Benedict, and Pizzulo said he intervened to help his friend. Both denied any wrongdoing, and both were off duty.
The internal report, however, notes that at least one witness saw Leshnack chasing a vehicle driven by Benedict, and it appeared that Leshnack was punching at someone through an open window of the four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Leshnack said in his statement that he was chasing the vehicle to get a license plate number because the vehicle almost struck him. Leshnack added that Benedict and the Tabors started a verbal attack with him after he attempted to leave the bar with a woman. Leshnack said in his statement that he was taking the woman home.
The internal report also says that two witnesses stated they saw a man, who fits the description of Pizzulo, hit a man for no apparent reason.
Police mistakes: Capt. Tom Stewart and Capt. Gary Bacon, who handled the investigation, said Niles police officers called to the scene also made mistakes.
"Statements should have been taken from all witnesses and suspects involved," the report states. "Statements should not have been taken when individuals were under the influence of alcohol."
Leshnack said in his statement to investigators that Officer Denny Laskey of Niles told him that he would write a statement on Leshnack's behalf. Leshnack said he did not give Laskey a statement that night.
Niles Police Chief Bruce Simeone said his department may have made mistakes that night but they corrected themselves. He said his department has "fully investigated the matter" and gave it to the city prosecutor two weeks ago. It is up to the prosecutor to file the charges, Simeone said.
Niles Prosecutor Bruce Bennett could not be reached to comment.
Terry Dull, Niles law director, who is Bennett's boss, said he thinks Bennett is finished with the investigation and has asked a prosecutor in Ashtabula to review the matter.
Dull said he did not know how long it would take to have the matter reviewed.
Upset: Atty. Robert Shaker, who represents Benedict, said he is upset no criminal charges have been filed against the detectives.
"You can get prosecuted for playing cards in Niles, but if you are a police officer and you beat someone up and break their arm, rest assured you won't be prosecuted in Niles," Shaker said. "There is no question that these officers are at fault and that this whole thing is being swept under the rug."
Shaker said his client may sue the detectives. He denied that he tried to settle the matter with the deputies.
sinkovich@vindy.com