TRUMBULL COMMISSIONERS Candidate alleges offer to drop out of race

Incumbent Democratic candidate James Tsagaris denies the allegation.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Republican candidate for Trumbull County commissioner says Democratic incumbent James Tsagaris offered him a job as director of the county's Family and Children First Council in exchange for his dropping out of the race.
"He didn't give me a dollar amount, but he said the job paid more than a commissioner," said Don Manning, an account manager at Rentway in Hermitage, Pa.
Tsagaris denies offering Manning a job or arranging any meetings with his Republican rival.
"It's not true," he said this morning.
He also denies Manning's account of a midmorning meeting between them at the Howland McDonald's restaurant, where Manning said the job was first discussed.
"No, never did," Tsagaris said. "I go there every morning, so he would know where to find me."
Manning said that in August, a worker from Tsagaris' campaign called a worker on his campaign to see if a meeting could be arranged. Manning said he called Tsagaris back and Tsagaris suggested the Howland restaurant.
"He asked me if I would be interested in a job with the county," Manning said. "I was taken aback by the whole thing."
Manning said Tsagaris told him he would have to drop out of the race after Aug. 21. That was the deadline to have a name replaced on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Manning says he was offered the position of an agency he knows nothing about.
"I was noncommittal in every way," Manning said. "In my mind, I had the wheels turning -- how I could use this."
Contacted FBI
Manning said he was considering recording his conversations with Tsagaris. He said he contacted the FBI after discussing the plan with Craig Bonar, head of the Trumbull County Republican party.
"He called me and told me he was going to put a wire on Tsagaris," Bonar said. He said he was at the Warren Italian Festival when he got the call.
"I told Don to go to the FBI," he said. "I would think that it is illegal. I would consider it a bribe."
Tsagaris said he has not been contacted by the FBI about the matter.
Manning said he and Tsagaris exchanged several phone calls about the job offer.
They ended after Manning let the deadline to submit an application for the position slip by, he said.
The agency director's position has been vacant since David Broehl left in August, said Tom Mahoney, director of Trumbull County Jobs and Family Services.
Broehl was paid about $55,000 a year, but Mahoney said he expects whomever is hired to fill the slot will make about $45,000 a year.
The director of the agency oversees a $3 million budget for programs to help children under age 3. The agency was accepting applications for the job until the end of August.
Beginning next year, all three county commissioners will earn $67,000 annually.
siff@vindy.com