AVALON SOUTH FBI seeks details on golf outings

The city officials received the federal subpoena this week.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH and DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Federal officials are seeking information on the golf outings a city official organized to raise funds for charity.
A subpoena was issued earlier this week for David J. Robison, the city's director of engineering, planning and building, seeking records on golf outings he participated in since 1990.
FBI agents have been conducting several investigations regarding Avalon South, a city-owned golf course.
"I assume it has something to do with Avalon," Robison said. "I'm looking for the information now."
He said he received the subpoena Tuesday at his home.
Tony Joy, operator of the golf course, said he has talked to federal agents numerous times over the past year.
Maridee Costanzo, one of the attorneys representing Joy, said Robison had "at least three golf outings" at the course. She said she believes that Robison never paid Joy for the outings.
"My best recollection is that the golf outings were to be for charity," Costanzo said.
Costanzo said she believed the outings were to raise money for a cancer charity, and that one of Robison's family members had died of prostate cancer.
Unaware of subpoena
Mayor Hank Angelo said he did not know that Robison received a subpoena. "Your telling me is the first I heard of it," Angelo said to a Vindicator reporter.
He said he has gone to "some" of Robison's golf outings but he is not sure how many.
City hall officials said they were issued a federal subpoena in August, asking them to produce to federal authorities all contract and lease information dealing with Ohio Edison. Angelo has said he did not know why the FBI was seeking the information.
Last year, FBI officials indicted two men -- Dante Massacci Jr., 33, of Shadowood Lane, Howland, and Dante Massacci Sr., 79, of Central Parkway Avenue Southeast. An eight-page information, which was filed in federal court, said the Massaccis obtained six public and private contracts, including construction of the Avalon South clubhouse. They were accused in the bill of information of paying an unidentified city official $70,000 to obtain more than $770,000 in construction contracts.
Both men pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce. They are scheduled to be sentenced in the next few weeks.