TRUMBULL COUNTY Supply changes rack up savings

The prosecutor said the investigation continues.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Changing the way the county orders janitorial supplies has saved Trumbull County hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In 2003, Trumbull County spent $83,833 to buy all the toilet paper, furniture polish, air freshener and other janitorial supplies it needed, county records state.
The amount is a huge decrease from what the county had been paying. In 2002, the cost of janitorial supplies was more than $400,000.
In 2001 -- the last full year before news articles in The Vindicator prompted officials to look into maintenance department practices -- the department spent $579,353 on supplies.
"This office made a decision two years ago this month, as a result of news stories by The Vindicator, to investigate the county purchasing," county Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said. "As a result, we have saved the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars."
When Watkins launched the investigation, he asked the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the state auditor's office for help. Both agencies have been assisting.
Watkins said Monday that the investigation is continuing.
Widespread decrease
According to records from the Trumbull County Auditor's office, spending has decreased in every county department.
For example, in 2002, the jail spent $116,591 and spent $32,078 in 2003.
"Wow, I didn't realize we saved that much," said county Commissioner James Tsagaris. "I knew the amount was down but I had no idea it was this low. I think Tony Carson, county administrator, and Al DeVengencie, have done a great job at getting us good prices."
DeVengencie is acting maintenance director.
Six indictments
Since the investigation began, six people, including Tony Delmont, the former maintenance director, have been indicted.
Prosecutors say Delmont, as maintenance director, bought hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of unneeded cleaning supplies in exchange for bribes from vendors.
In a hearing before Delmont's termination by the county, prosecutors said he stole about $400,000 from the county since 1998.
One vendor, Barry Jacobson of Envirochemical Inc. in Bedford Heights, said in a sworn statement that Delmont said some of the bribes would be distributed to other county officials. No other county officials have been charged in the scheme.
Jacobson pleaded guilty in connection with bribing Delmont and helping him to steal taxpayer funds.
Delmont pleaded guilty in May to theft in office, money laundering and five counts of bribery. Sentencing will take place after the investigation into the possible involvement of other officials is complete.
sinkovich@vindy.com