Former Mecca trustee files suit against current officials

YOUNGSTOWN -- A former Mecca Township trustee has filed a $755,000 lawsuit against the current trustees.
The complaint was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Youngstown by former trustee Darryl L. Black against trustees Blake Peterson, Thomas Gladd and Michael Colello.
The lawsuit alleges that trustees wouldn't permit Black to speak publicly at their Feb. 2, 2000, meeting, thus violating his rights to free speech, peaceful assembly and redress of grievances.
The lawsuit also states that trustees filed a criminal complaint March 3, 2000, in Trumbull County Central District Court, charging him with obstructing and/or interfering with the conduct of a meeting. Black alleges in the lawsuit that the charge was filed "for the purpose of harassing and embarrassing him and out of their own malice, hatred and ill-will toward him."
According to court officials, Black was acquitted last Aug. 16 by Judge Thomas Campbell.
Black is seeking $5,000 in compensatory damages and $750,000 in punitive damages.
Response: Colello said Black "got out of control" and had to be removed from the meeting. He asserted that Black kicked a chair during the meeting.
He said he was not surprised by the allegations in the suit.
The case has been assigned to Judge Peter C. Economus.