GIRARD CASE Lawyer faces lawsuit in school board flap

The attorney's lawsuit centers around the Girard Intermediate School.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The attorney representing a group of people trying to oust the Girard Board of Education has filed a libel and slander lawsuit against the board's lawyer.
In filing the complaint Thursday against Louis Damiani of Cleveland in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Sebastian Rucci is seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
Rucci, of Poland, contends Damiani's comments in cases involving the school board have caused him humiliation, exposure to public infamy, scandal and disgrace, an injured reputation and financial loss that "will endure for decades."
"He doesn't have a license to practice law in Ohio, and that's a fact," Damiani said Thursday. "I don't think much of anything he files."
Rucci's lawsuit centers around the closing last year of the Girard Intermediate School because pupils and staff were getting sick.
One lawsuit seeks to remove the school board because it allegedly delayed telling parents and staff of the health issues.
Practicing law: The complaint says Damiani has accused Rucci of having an "unauthorized practice of law" because he doesn't have a state license.
Rucci says he has been given permission by judges to represent defendants in individual cases in their courts.
Damiani countered that Rucci removes himself from cases before court hearings that are conducted to determine if he is qualified to practice law in Ohio.
In providing his background in the complaint, Rucci points out the jurisdictions in which he is permitted to practice, but doesn't mention either taking the Ohio bar exam or passing it.
"I believe [Ohio] Supreme Court officials are well aware of his activity," Damiani said.
Rucci contends in the 26-page lawsuit that Damiani made his comments with malice, knowing they were false.
Damiani said most of his remarks are in court documents, most of which are protected from liability.
The case has been assigned to Judge Maureen Cronin.
yovich@vindy.com