YOUNGSTOWN Official predicts discipline process for city worker to be expedited

The judges want the inmates to participate in drug treatment programs.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael A. Dowdy could be fired as early as next week as a city street department laborer, now that he's been sentenced to prison for possession of 71/2 pounds of cocaine, the law director says.
John A. McNally IV said Wednesday that the city is required to provide Dowdy with a hearing, at which a hearing officer makes a discipline recommendation. If the union representative waives the hearing, the city would proceed straight to discipline, he said.
McNally said based on prior practice and state law, a public employee convicted of a felony is terminated. The law director said he will ask that the discipline process be expedited and expects the matter to be resolved next week.
About the case
In April, Dowdy, 37, of Crandall Avenue, waived indictment in U.S. District Court in Cleveland. He was then charged in a one-count information with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds) of powdered cocaine.
A plea agreement was reached with Joseph M. Pinjuh, an assistant U.S. attorney.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent sentenced Dowdy to 87 months in prison followed by four years' supervised release. Judge Nugent recommended that Dowdy participate in a 500-hour drug treatment program while incarcerated.
In June, Pinjuh filed a motion asking that Dowdy forfeit $59,000 and a 1994 Cadillac seized at his home. Judge Nugent granted the motion.
Dowdy had been a driver-laborer with the street department since 1997.
Co-defendant
His co-defendant, Elmer Austin, 35, of Transylvania Avenue, Warren, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 11.1 grams of cocaine.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan sentenced Austin to 60 months in prison, followed by four years' supervised release. The judge recommended that Austin participate in a drug treatment program while incarcerated.
The men were arrested last December after a search at Dowdy's house that followed two undercover drug buys and a monthlong investigation headed by the U.S. Justice Department Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The investigation included sheriff's departments in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, Youngstown and Niles police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
Dowdy was suspended without pay in early December, when state charges were filed against him. The state charges were later dismissed and the case transferred to the federal level.
meade@vindy.com