Judge sentences Dragelevich in tampering case

& lt;a href=mailto:sinkovich@vindy.com & gt;By PEGGY SINKOVICH & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CLEVELAND -- After leaving the federal courthouse a free man, former Trumbull County prosecutor J. Walter Dragelevich will try to keep his license to practice law.
Dragelevich, of Liberty, who pleaded guilty in April to a federal charge of odometer tampering, was sentenced Thursday to two years' probation, a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
He could have received up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the federal plea agreement.
John Kane, agent in charge of the Youngstown office of the FBI, said he is satisfied with the sentence.
"I'm very relieved," a smiling Dragelevich said, as he left the courtroom with his attorney Roger Synenberg. "I am cooperating with the Ohio Supreme Court and hope they will be just and fair."
Dragelevich, who was Trumbull County prosecutor from 1971 to 1984, could face suspension or termination of his law license. It is not known when the court will consider the matter.
Virginia D. Hearey, assistant U.S. attorney, told Judge Dan Polster that Dragelevich entered into negotiations April 30, 2001, with an individual to have the odometer on a 1999 Oldsmobile Bravado altered because the mileage was over the allotted amount. The vehicle was leased.
Dragelevich then paid the same individual $75 on May 12, 2001, to change the mileage registered by the odometer from 26,624 miles to 16,651 miles, according to the plea agreement filed with the court.
Dragelevich said in court that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
"I accept the blame," Dragelevich said. "I don't blame anyone else."
Dragelevich has also said that the political boss who leased the car he is accused of tampering with had nothing to do with the matter.
Dennis Johnson, the Columbiana County Democratic chairman, leased the Bravada under his General Motors employee discount, then allowed Dragelevich to use the car. Johnson was on leave from the Lordstown GM plant at the time.
GM allows employees to buy its vehicles at a discounted price. In most cases, family members of GM employees can also receive the discount, but friends aren't permitted to use the GM employees' discount.