WARREN Chief: Mayor asked to gas club

The mayor and other officials denied the statement was made.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Mayor Hank Angelo told city police in April that he wanted the 77 Soul club to be shut down with whatever means possible, including the use of tear gas, the police chief contends.
Chief John Mandopoulos said when he told the mayor he would be unable to close the club, which at times has more than 500 patrons, he was instructed to "gas it."
"I was told specifically that we have to shut it down," the chief said Thursday. "The mayor suggested that we use gas to clear the place out. When he said that, I looked at Traci Timko-Rose and our eyes met in disbelief. I told him I wouldn't do that. I don't want to hurt anybody."
Timko-Rose, an assistant city prosecutor, said the mayor didn't order the use of tear gas, but she would not say if he suggested its use.
Angelo and Fred Harris, city safety-service director, who also attended the meeting, denied the statement was made.
"For the police chief to make a statement that ludicrous shows that he has lost his mind," Angelo said.
Noise complaints
"I never said to gas the nightclub," Angelo added. "I will freely admit that we met to discuss the concerns the owner of the Travelodge had about the noise in the parking lot. The chief is the one who brought to my attention about the police being called to the nightclub all the time.
"I did say if the club was violating the law, then it should be shut down. I would say that about any place that is violating the law."
The Travelodge motel is behind the nightclub, off U.S. Route 422.
The meeting was held in late April at city hall and was attended by several city officials, including the fire chief and other officials from the police department.
Although Fire Chief Ken Nussle said he does not recall hearing the statement, Lt. Joseph Marhulik did.
"Yes, I do recall the mayor asking if we have tear gas tanks and can we use them to clear the parking lot," Marhulik said. "The chief told him that we have policies and procedures to follow, and we can't do that."
The chief also added he does not think the mayor's comment was a joke. "When the mayor jokes, he smiles, and I didn't see the smile," Mandopoulos said.
The chief further noted that after the mayor made that comment, he decided to try to handle the situation at the club by visiting the parking lot and talking to the patrons.
"I wanted to defuse the situation and now I'm facing discipline for handling it without force," the chief said.
Videotape
The mayor is deciding if the chief should be disciplined for his actions at the club May 24. The chief and patrol officer Manny Nites were caught on video showing their eyeballs to the cameraman.
"We were joking," the chief added. "I'm not the monster people make me out to be. I showed up at the club, off duty, with no weapons. I wanted to do whatever possible to handle the matter without violence."
The mayor and safety-service director also want the police chief to reconsider disciplining Nites. Nites can be heard on the videotape calling the cameraman a snitch.
Mandopoulos said that because LaShawn Ziegler, owner of 77 Soul, and Charlie Adams, the cameraman, didn't file a complaint at the time, there is no violation.
Adams said he contacted Marhulik on Thursday and plans to file a formal complaint Monday.
Adams said he felt Nites was intimidating him.
Ziegler said he was surprised by the officers' actions in his parking lot but he's also "shocked" that such a comment about using tear gas would be made.
"I am just very disappointed that someone in authority, that is supposed to help businesses, would say something so cruel. It hurts," Ziegler said.
Atty. Ken Myers, who represents Ziegler, said it's hard to imagine what would have happened if someone would have used tear gas. "It conjures up horrifying images," Myers said.
sinkovich@vindy.com