PURCHASING PROBE Supply salesman makes 2nd payment to county

The defendant has paid back $60,000 so far.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A salesman with Envirochemical of Bedford Heights is continuing to pay back Trumbull County money that prosecutors said he owes for over-billing the county for cleaning supplies.
Barry Jacobson gave county officials a $30,000 check Thursday. It is Jacobson's second $30,000 payment.
The former mayor of Lyndhurst made his first payment last September when he pleaded guilty to one charge each of bribery and complicity to theft in office, both third-degree felonies. The plea was made in a continuing investigation into Trumbull County purchasing practices that was prompted by stories in The Vindicator starting in August 2002.
Jacobson, who is scheduled to be sentenced after the investigation is completed, owes the county $200,000, prosecutors say.
The total is to be paid in four years.
"I think it's good they are collecting it," said Commissioner James Tsagaris. "I don't know why it's over so many years, though. I think we should be able to get the money a lot quicker, like in a year or two."
Commissioners Joseph Angelo and Dan Polivka could not be reached.
Progress of probe
Prosecutor Dennis Watkins started investigating the maintenance department's purchasing practices in September 2002. Since that time, eight people have been indicted and three have pleaded guilty. As part of the pleas, Watkins made sure the county will be reimbursed a total of $277,000.
Last month, Watkins had a special prosecutor appointed to the probe to determine if any local elected officials took part in the scam.
Watkins has said that Jacobson's company was selling supplies to the county at prices inflated as much as 500 percent. He cited a can of wasp spray for $73 as an example.
Jacobson sold more than $923,000 worth of janitorial supplies to Trumbull County over six years.
Jacobson's fate
Jacobson, who was co-owner and vice president of Envirochemical, resigned as an officer of the company in September 2003. At that time he ceased all official duties related to the management of the corporation, according to a press statement released Thursday from The Oppidan Group, a pubic affairs firm hired by Envirochemical.
In December 2003, Jacobson agreed to a letter of intent for the sale of all of his shares and ownership rights in the company. Final stock transfer took place March 1, the press release states.
"As part of the sale agreement, Mr. Jacobson was granted a position as a commissioned sales representative of the organization contingent upon strict adherence to specific standards of performance and fulfillment of any obligations or imposition of limits or penalties resulting from the final disposition of the Trumbull County case," the press release states.
The press release further states that as a sales representative, Jacobson has no authority to alter or revise any process, policy or procedure of the organization.
The county cut off business with Envirochemical in September 2002 at the recommendation of Watkins.
sinkovich@vindy.com