NEWTON TOWNSHIP Fight leads to charges against police chief

If convicted of both charges, the chief could face some time in jail.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- Newton Township's police chief is facing assault and disorderly conduct charges.
The misdemeanor charges were filed against Brian Persin on Thursday afternoon in Newton Falls Municipal Court. The chief is expected to be arraigned on the charges next week, court officials said.
If convicted of both charges, Persin could face up to seven months in the county jail and a $1,250 fine.
Report filed
Lt. Michael Maas, 45, of Hott West Road, filed a report with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department, saying Persin assaulted him in his yard around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Reports say Maas was mowing his lawn when Persin, who lives across the street, began making obscene gestures. Maas said Persin was intoxicated.
The chief acknowledged pushing Maas but denied the officer's other claims.
The chief said he was angry that Maas and other officers said he forged Alcoholics Anonymous documents. He had been ordered to attend AA meetings two years ago after being convicted of a reckless-operation charge.
Maas lists two township trustees as witnesses of the confrontation. He said Trustees Peter Augusta and Delbert Woloski were in his driveway when Persin swung at him.
"I don't really think I can comment on it at this time," Augusta said. "We are going to have an executive session to discuss it. I don't know if we will take any action or not because we can't talk about it until our meeting.
"I'd rather be discussing what roads we are paving."
DUI charge reduced
Persin, 32, who was appointed township chief last year, was involved in an accident and charged with DUI in May 2001. The charge was later reduced.
At the time of the crash, Persin was a part-time police officer for Newton Falls.
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