UNION ORGANIZER Man files suit over injuries

One brother was found guilty of assault.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A union organizer from Lake County has filed a lawsuit over injuries he says he suffered when he was assaulted last year in Youngstown.
Blain C. Daugherty III of Willoughby Hills says in the lawsuit that he was beaten Oct. 7, 2003, by Michael A. Romano of Wampum, Pa., and his brother, Thomas Romano of New Castle, Pa., during a fight on West Rayen Avenue.
Daugherty, 31, is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The extent of his injuries and damages will be established if the case goes to trial, according to the suit, filed by Cleveland attorney Michael E. Jackson.
Paving company
The Romano brothers work for their family's paving company, Cleveland Asphalt of Bessemer, Pa., which paved a section of West Rayen Avenue last October. At the time, Daugherty was a union organizer for Labor International Union of North America.
Daugherty said the Romanos, whose company is nonunion, assaulted him and broke his video camera. Both Romanos were charged with assault.
A jury in Youngstown Municipal Court convicted Michael Romano in June. He was placed on probation for two years and is appealing the conviction. A mistrial was declared in Thomas Romano's case because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Beside the Romano brothers, named as defendants in the lawsuit are Cleveland Asphalt Inc., Romano Paving and Excavating Inc., and Romano Trucking Inc., all of Bessemer.
bjackson@vindy.com