TRUMBULL COUNTY Delmont affidavit accuses county officials

The former official's sentencing will take place after the probe is complete.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
and STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners and the county sheriff were aware of a scheme that defrauded taxpayers of $400,000, and they received the lion's share of kickbacks, former maintenance director Tony Delmont contends in a sworn statement.
In the three-page affidavit on file in Trumbull County Common Pleas court, Delmont says he gave $50,000 to elected officials, as well as sporting events tickets, electronics equipment and other gifts. He also contended that all his actions were at the specific direction of the commissioners and/or the sheriff.
During the period in question, Thomas Altiere was county sheriff and Michael O'Brien, James Tsagaris and Joseph Angelo Jr. were commissioners. O'Brien is now mayor of Warren.
Angelo, Tsagaris, O'Brien and Altiere denied Delmont's accusations.
Delmont also admitted accepting $50,000 in cash and gifts.
Potential sentencing
Delmont pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft in office, money laundering and five counts of bribery. Sentencing will take place after the investigation into the alleged involvement of other officials is complete.
Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and assistant prosecutors Chris Becker and Diane Barber said the investigation into the county's purchasing practices continues.
According to the plea agreement, Delmont could serve one to three years in prison because of the conviction and repay the county $50,000.
The sentence could be increased to 10 years if Delmont does not cooperate with prosecutors.
Delmont's words
In an affidavit filed with the guilty plea, Delmont contended he allowed janitorial supply companies to overcharge the county at the explicit direction of higher officials.
"At all times mentioned herein, the vendors that did business through me as Trumbull County maintenance supervisor were pre-approved by the Trumbull County commissioners and/or the Trumbull County sheriff," Delmont wrote in a sworn statement accompanying the guilty plea. "These companies also would kick back thousands in cash to me for the benefit of myself and others listed above for the privilege of doing business with Trumbull County."
"The Trumbull County commissioners, the Trumbull County sheriff, and other officials made it known to me that it was part of my job as Trumbull County maintenance supervisor that I must sell large volumes of campaign fund-raising tickets in return for cash payment which I delivered to these Trumbull County officials," Delmont wrote.
"It was my further understanding that if I did not perform these cash transactions, that my employment with Trumbull County would be in jeopardy."
According to the affidavit, Delmont would pass money to elected officials under the guise that it was from the sale of campaign fund-raiser tickets, although the officials knew otherwise.
One vendor, Envirochemical Inc., whose co-owner is Barry Jacobson, has admitted giving Delmont money with the understanding that it would be given to other officeholders.
Officials' response
"I didn't know these people. I didn't know Jacobson. I didn't know any of the people at all," Tsagaris said. "I don't know what 'commissioners' he is saying he gave to."
Tsagaris said Delmont once sold tickets to a fund-raiser several years ago, but those sales would not have amounted to more than a few thousand dollars. Tsagaris said he got the money from Delmont and gave it to his campaign treasurer.
"I have not done anything criminal. I have not accepted any money or tickets or anything like that," Angelo said. "This is a serious accusation, and the prosecutor is handling it."
O'Brien said, "I don't have a clue of what he's talking about," referring to Delmont. "I don't know any of these people." He also denied taking any sporting event tickets or money. "Never, never, never, never."
In the affidavit, Delmont also said that he received a VCR from Jacobson, which he gave to Sheriff Thomas Altiere.
Altiere said he thought the VCR was donated and was to be raffled at a golf outing.
Jacobson, the former mayor of Lyndhurst, has pleaded guilty to bribery and theft in office and agreed to repay $230,000. He has yet to be sentenced.
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