WARREN City officials postpone chief's hearing

The mayor wants the predisciplinary hearing to be held in the next 10 days.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- It may be another week before the city's police chief finds out if he will face any discipline.
Chief John Mandopoulos requested Monday's predisciplinary hearing to be rescheduled because his attorney was unable to attend, city officials said.
A November date was proposed by the chief's legal counsel, but city officials say they want the hearing to be held in the next 10 days.
"I want it this week or at the latest, early next week," said Mayor Hank Angelo.
Gary Cicerco, the city's human resource director, said the hearing will probably be held Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
The mayor sent a letter to the chief two weeks ago advising him of the hearing and telling him he has been administratively charged with gross neglect of duty, gross dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The mayor declined to say what type of discipline Mandopoulos faces. City officials said a decision on whether the chief will face discipline will be made after the hearing.
Seeking ouster
The Warren Coalition, which consists of leaders of local minority organizations, has asked for the chief's ouster.
"I thought the hearing would be rescheduled for today," said Tom Conley, a member of the coalition and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League. He noted that he hopes the hearing is held soon.
The charges against Mandopoulos stem from the chief's actions during a stop this spring at 77 Soul, a nightclub.
A videotape shows the chief and Patrolman Manny Nites sticking their faces up to the camera and making fun of the cameraman.
The club's owner has said the police were harassing the cameraman. The chief has said he was joking.
The letter also states the chief confronted a television reporter in an attempt to intimidate or to threaten her.
The mayor attached a letter from Atty. Stephen T. Bolton, who represents WFMJ TV Channel 21.
Bolton's letter says that on Aug. 1 Mandopoulos had a conversation with Michelle Nicks, a reporter for WFMJ's Channel 21 news team. The conversation dealt with several issues, including the 77 Soul videotape.
The letter says the chief told Nicks that he was going to give the home addresses of all local reporters to drug dealers, and he also stated he was going to get area labor unions together to organize a boycott of businesses that advertise with The Vindicator and WFMJ.
sinkovich@vindy.com