YOUNGSTOWN Law firm sues its ex-office manager

The amount of missing money is estimated to be at least $25,000.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A downtown law firm is suing its former office manager for money it says was illegally taken from the firm.
The firm of Roth, Blair, Roberts, Strasfeld & amp; Lodge, whose offices are on Federal Plaza East, filed the complaint Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against Allan J. Simcox of Marinthana Avenue.
According to the lawsuit, Simcox was the firm's office manager and bookkeeper from Oct. 29, 1996, to Oct. 1, 2002. It does not indicate why he left.
The lawsuit says that during his employment, Simcox misappropriated and converted money and other property belonging to the firm for his own use.
It says Simcox issued a series of checks to himself out of the firm's account without authority to do so, forged checks and diverted the firm's money for his own purposes.
The amount of money believed missing is estimated at $25,000 or more, the suit says.
Simcox, reached at his home, said he had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.
Seeking damages
The firm is asking for at least $25,000 in damages and reimbursement of attorney fees and money it spent investigating the matter.
Atty. Richard Blair, who filed the complaint, declined to comment on whether criminal charges are being pursued against Simcox.
Prosecutor Paul Gains said no one has contacted his office about the matter.
Accounts frozen
The suit also asks that the personal bank accounts of Simcox and his wife be frozen to keep them from diverting funds while the case is pending.
Judge James C. Evans issued a temporary restraining order Friday afternoon, freezing personal accounts at Sky Bank, Farmers National Bank and Butler Wick & amp; Co.
The judge also ordered that all records of the case be sealed. There was no reason given for that action, though a court entry said it was at the firm's request.
bjackson@vindy.com