Prison sentence appropriate for former treasurer's crimes
Atty. John B. Juhasz is a well-respected member of the Mahoning Valley criminal defense bar, with a deep understanding of the law and his role as an advocate for the accused. For those reasons, we're willing to acknowledge his sincerity when he says a prison sentence isn't the only way to demonstrate the seriousness of crimes committed by public officials.
But we strongly disagree with him.
Time behind bars for individuals who violate the public trust is not only justified but necessary. This is especially true in the Mahoning Valley, where the roll call of crooked politicians and others in government continues to grow.
In seeking to keep his client, former Salem Schools Treasurer Ted Cougras, out of prison, Juhasz argued that a combination of community sanctions and fines was appropriate because Cougras would be able to talk about the devastating effect his criminal behavior has had on him and his family.
Fortunately, Judge Ashley Pike of the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court wasn't swayed. On Monday, Pike sentenced Cougras to three years in prison for 17 felony counts, including eight each of bribery and money laundering and one count of theft in office.
"We've come to find out the fox was watching the henhouse," Judge Pike said. He added that the former treasurer's actions had damaged the reputation of the Salem school district and could well undermine efforts to persuade voters to approve levies.
Community service
Juhasz may be right that there is an advantage to having someone like Cougras, a former finance director and councilman for the city of Campbell and a former member of the Campbell Board of Education, talk about the consequences of his crimes. But he can perform such community service after he gets out of prison.
Time behind bars is cleansing -- for the taxpayers who trust public employees to walk the straight and narrow and adhere to a strict code of conduct. Using one's public position for personal gain is as egregious a crime as any committed in corporate America.
Cougras was paid handsomely for his job as Salem schools treasurer -- $72,237-a-year -- but that did not deter him from accepting $8,450 in gift certificates from a school-supplies salesman. His acceptance of the certificates constituted the eight third-degree bribery felonies. The eight third-degree money-laundering offenses stemmed from his having passed gift certificates to others or using them himself. The theft-in-office charge, a fourth-degree felony, was based on his having bought items with district money and having them delivered to his home.
He pleaded guilty to the charges in March.
Cougras could have received more than 80 years in prison, but as part of the plea deal with Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron, a maximum of three years in prison and $5,000 in fine was recommended on the condition that he cooperate with any investigations.
Monday, Herron said that the accused was uncooperative in the investigation and showed no remorse.
In other words, Cougras got a break with the three-year sentence and fine. He should be thankful that the plea deal was not withdrawn.
Incentive
Herron said that other individuals will be charged in the near future. We have no doubt that Cougras' time behind bars will serve as an incentive for them to play "Let's make a deal" with the prosecutor.
That's what happened in Mahoning County with the FBI's wide-ranging investigation of government corruption and organized crime.
Judge Pike made reference to Mahoning County when he said that the sentencings in the ongoing probes of government officials show what penalties are appropriate.
The bottom line can be found in that well-worn expression: Do the crime, do the time.