Attorney arrested on weapon charge

The lawyer is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
HOWLAND -- A former candidate for U.S. Congress and longtime attorney was arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
Police arrested Maridee Costanzo, 46, of Warren, around 1 a.m. Saturday after the car she was riding in was stopped for a routine traffic citation.
According to reports, Costanzo, who ran unsuccessfully in the May 2002 Democratic primary for Congress, had a loaded .38-caliber handgun in the front of her jeans. Police also found another gun under the passenger side seat. She told police that the guns belonged to the driver of the vehicle, William Cindea, 56, of Warren.
Costanzo told police that when the car was being pulled over, Cindea handed her the guns and told her to put them under the seat. She said when she told Cindea the one gun wouldn't fit, he told her to put in her pants, reports state.
Cindea was arrested on driving under suspension and carrying a concealed weapon. Police reports state he had a stun gun in the pocket of his jacket and a 4-inch knife in the front pocket of his jeans.
Released on bond
Both Cindea and Costanzo refused to give written statements. The two were taken to the Trumbull County jail. Costanzo was released on a $5,000 bond and Cindea was released on a $6,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear Monday in Warren Municipal Court.
Moments before the car was stopped, Costanzo's former husband called police saying someone caused damage to his garage door and front window. Atty. Roger Bauer told police that he felt the damage may have been done by his ex-wife, reports state.
The car Costanzo was riding in was stopped about a block from Bauer's North Road home, police reports state.
Costanzo could not be reached for comment.
Costanzo had been a public defender for several years. However, the state public defender's commission did not renew her contract in June. The public defender's commission would not comment on the matter.
In 2003, FBI agents served subpoenas to current and former employees of Costanzo's law practice. She has not been charged.