NEWTON TOWNSHIP Police chief suspended; replacement to be picked

The chief will continue to be paid $12.50 per hour during the suspension.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- Newton Township trustees will appoint a temporary replacement to head the police department while the chief serves a 15-day paid suspension.
In a special meeting Friday, trustees voted to suspend Chief Brian Persin, effective immediately, said township Clerk Kay F. Lingo.
"They will appoint someone to fill in at the regular meeting Monday," she said.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 4410 Newton-Bailey Road.
Persin, who is paid $12.50 an hour in the full-time position, was not at Friday's meeting, Lingo said. He could not be reached Saturday to comment.
Trustees Delbert Woloski, Peter Augusta and George Prelac also could not be reached to comment.
What's alleged
The suspension came one day after Persin was charged in Newton Falls Municipal Court with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct. He is expected to appear sometime this week for arraignment, according to court officials.
If convicted, Persin faces up to seven months in jail and a $1,250 fine.
Persin, 32, is accused of hitting police Lt. Michael Maas, 45, at his Hott West Road home Tuesday evening. According to a report Maas filed with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department, Persin -- who lives across the street from Maas -- began making obscene gestures to Maas as he mowed his lawn. Maas said Persin was drunk and came into his yard, shoved him and swung at him.
The report lists Augusta and Woloski as witnesses. Maas also told police Woloski tried to break up the fight, but ended up arguing and getting into a shoving match with Persin.
Acknowledges pushing
Persin, who was appointed township chief last year, has acknowledged pushing Maas, but denies the other allegations. He said he was angry at Maas and other officers who alleged he forged Alcoholics Anonymous documents related to a reckless-operation conviction two years ago.
In May 2001, Persin was charged with DUI after he was involved in an accident. The charge was later reduced, and he was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and a $250 fine, $100 of which was suspended.
slshaulis@vindy.com