WARREN Police chief's hearing scheduled

The chief says the mayor's 'initials reversed are the same as Hitler's.'
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police Chief John Mandopoulos says he is anxiously awaiting his chance to defend himself against allegations of misconduct.
The city's civil service commission will hold a disciplinary hearing for Mandopoulos on Monday and next Tuesday. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. in the Community Development Office, 418 Main Ave. S.W.
"The mayor wants to fire shots. Well, I'm going to fire back," the chief said.
"The mayor had my predisciplinary hearing and turned right around and found me guilty. He was the prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one," Mandopoulos said. "You know his initials reversed are the same as Hitler's, and he has that little mustache."
Mayor Hank Angelo declined to comment.
Director's reaction
The city's safety-service director, however, said he is angered by the chief's comment.
"This man is in control of 80-some people who have guns," Fred Harris said. "Anytime you make a statement like that about a mayor of a city, may God help you. The mayor was elected by the people and represents the people. This statement is about as disrespectful as you can get."
The chief also noted that he plans to call more than 10 witnesses on his behalf. He declined to name them.
"Numerous people overheard things the mayor said, and I'm not going to be made his scapegoat," the chief said.
Mandopoulos has been administratively charged with gross neglect of duty, gross dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The mayor has recommended that the chief be given a 10-day suspension. The civil service commission, after listening to both sides, will decide if the mayor's recommendation should be affirmed.
Incident outside club
The administrative charges stem from actions by the chief and officer Manny Nites on May 24 outside 77 Soul, a U.S. Route 422 nightclub, and in connection with allegations that the chief intimidated a television reporter.
The chief has said he and Nites were only joking.
Nites has not been disciplined. The man who videotaped the officers' actions, Charles Adams, has been asked by the city to testify during the hearing.
A letter sent to city officials from Atty. Stephen T. Bolton, who represents WFMJ TV 21, said Mandopoulos confronted reporter Michelle Nicks about several issues, including the 77 Soul videotape.
The letter says the chief told Nicks he was going to give the home addresses of members of the local press to drug dealers and was going to get area labor unions to organize a boycott of businesses that advertise with WFMJ and The Vindicator.
The chief has denied those allegations.
sinkovich@vindy.com