TRUMBULL COUNTY Man pleads guilty to trying to bribe police

The defendant could get up to 33 years in prison.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A man who police say attempted to bribe the Niles police chief has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to engage in corrupt activity and five counts of bribery.
Michael Malvasi, 69, of Bellvue Avenue, Niles, who is known as "Mugsy," entered the pleas Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Judge John Stuard said Malvasi will be sentenced after the county adult probation department completes a background check.
Malvasi remains free on a $50,000 bond.
Atty. Charles Morrow, an assistant prosecutor, said Malvasi could receive up to 33 years in prison.
"We are going to recommend that some amount of prison time be served," Morrow said. "Also, if Mr. Malvasi is sentenced to prison, we will oppose any type of early release."
Morrow said that Attys. James Fredericka and Gerald Gold, who represent Malvasi, will be given an opportunity during sentencing to argue for probation.
Malvasi, who was in the courtroom with several relatives, declined to comment during the brief hearing.
What happened: Morrow said that in August 1998, Malvasi and his co-defendant Albert Tuminello, 73, of Niles, contacted Police Chief Bruce Simeone and asked him to protect Malvasi's gambling operation.
"As soon as Bruce was contacted by these two, he called the agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," Morrow said.
The FBI had Simeone wear a wiretap device so conversations among him, Malvasi and Tuminello could be recorded.
Morrow said that five attempts to bribe the chief were recorded and about $2,500 was given to Simeone.
Tuminello pleaded guilty last year to a charge of complicity to commit bribery. He is on two years' probation.