NEWTON TOWNSHIP Officer's report says chief taunted and shoved him

The chief denies he was intoxicated and tried to punch an officer.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- The Newton Township police chief took a swing at one of his officers, made obscene gestures and yelled, "Come on, country boy, get some of this," a Trumbull County Sheriff's Department report states.
Police Officer Michael Maas, 45, of Hott West Road, filed a report with the sheriff's department saying his chief, Brian Persin, came to his home about 6 p.m. Tuesday, shoved him and swung at him.
"Brian was yelling at me, came at me with fists up, shoved me back hard," Maas wrote in his report.
"Brian then came at me again. I backed up. Brian swung at me and said, 'Come on, country boy, get some of this.'
"I blocked his punch with my left hand. Trustee [Delbert] Woloski, who also saw this, got between Brian and myself. They argued for a while. They also were in a shoving match."
Maas also wrote in his report of the episode that Persin was intoxicated.
"I was not intoxicated," Persin said. "I also did not punch him. I shoved him, but I didn't punch or hit him. I admit I shouldn't have gone over there."
No criminal charges have been filed.
Maas must pursue charges with the prosecutor's office, Sheriff Thomas Altiere said.
The matter is being reviewed by Rick Schwartz, Newton Falls prosecutor.
Department problems
Maas told deputies he thinks Persin was upset because Maas had spoken with trustees Monday about an internal police problem.
The report does not give specifics, and Maas could not be reached.
"I was upset at what he had been saying," Persin said Wednesday.
"Since I have been appointed chief, I have had problems with Lt. Maas and two other police officers.
"They are making allegations that I had forged my AA [Alcoholics Anonymous] documents that I had to have done when I went to court on a reckless operation charge.
"I did not forge any documents."
Trustees have been advised of the problems he's had with his officers, Persin said.
"I have not been contacted by trustees since this happened," Persin said. "I didn't go to work today because I took a sick day. I had to go to my family doctor because of the stress that I am going through with this department."
Maas' account of situation
Maas also stated on the report that Persin, who lives across the street from him, was making obscene gestures at him.
Maas added he went inside his home when he noticed the chief walking across a wheat field with his left hand behind his back.
While Maas was telephoning trustees, Persin was banging on his front door, the report says.
A few moments later, Trustee Pete Augusta pulled into Maas' driveway and when Maas went outside to talk to him, Persin came over and started shoving him, the report states. Woloski also was at the scene.
Trustees could not be reached.
Persin, 32, who was appointed township chief last year, was involved in an accident and charged with DUI in May 2001.
At the time of the crash, Persin was a part-time police officer for Newton Falls but was not on duty.
Judge Thomas Old convicted Persin of a reduced charge of reckless operation and gave him a 30-day suspended jail sentence and a $250 fine. The judge also suspended $100 of the fine.
sinkovich@vindy.com