Mob case resolution hits snag

The parties will be summoned to a probate court hearing .
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The validity of an out-of-court settlement of a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against former mob chieftain Lenny Strollo by the widow of his rival is being challenged.
Judge Timothy P. Maloney of Mahoning County probate court says the settlement has not been submitted for his approval as required by Ohio law.
"There is no settlement unless this court approves it," Judge Maloney said. "Anything they did without approval is illegal."
Atty. Paul G. Perantinides of Akron, who filed the suit for plaintiff Linda Biondillo, said he generally submits case settlements like these to the probate court for approval after they are approved in the general division, not before.
"That's the way it's done," he said, noting that his firm is in the process of preparing the settlement for presentation to Judge Maloney.
Judge Maloney has summoned all parties in the suit, including their lawyers, to appear at a hearing in May and explain why they did not follow proper protocol. Strollo is in federal custody and will not be there.
About the killing
Linda Biondillo of Campbell filed the lawsuit in February 2002 against Strollo and others who she said were responsible for the slaying of her husband, Ernie Biondillo.
Ernie Biondillo was 53 when he was shot in his car on Youngstown's East Side while driving to work in June 1996. Strollo has testified that he gave the order to have Biondillo killed because the two were rivals in organized crime.
Bernard Altshuler, who helped Strollo plan Biondillo's murder, and Jeff Riddle, Cleveland Blair and George Wilkins are serving prison sentences for their roles in mob-related activities, including Biondillo's murder. All four also were named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Strollo was sentenced in January to 12 years and eight months in prison for leading the criminal enterprise.
A document filed March 6 in common pleas court said the lawsuit has been settled and dismissed. Terms of the settlement have not been made public. The entry was signed by Judge John R. Milligan, a retired judge from the 5th District Court of Appeals, who presided over the case.
But Judge Maloney said a settlement agreement signed by a general division judge is not binding on the parties.