Sewer project watched closely

Multiple inspections will thwart questionable activity, the mayor said.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- With the stench of scandal lingering, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien says he has taken steps to prevent any shenanigans involving the city's latest capital project.
"We are aware of what happened in the past," O'Brien said.
The mayor was referring to David Robison, former acting city engineer, who awaits sentencing next month after pleading guilty in federal court to his involvement in taking bribes and kickbacks on city projects.
Also, former city building inspector James Lapmardo pleaded guilty last year to racketeering acts, including extortion, and received a prison sentence of three years and five months.
The cases conjure up memories for older residents of Warren's sewer scandal in the early 1960s. Several city politicians went to prison for collusion, conspiracy and threats concerning city sewer-construction contracts.
Now, O'Brien said special attention is being paid to ensure that inspections are done properly on the $4.4 million sewer construction project. Work got under way about a month ago and will take 15 months to complete.
To ensure that the work is done properly, inspectors from both the engineering and water pollution control departments are watching, the mayor said. "They're on the job every day," he stressed.
In addition, an inspector is at the site from Thomas Fok & amp; Associates Ltd. of Warren, project design engineers.
To further ensure that inspections are completed, O'Brien explained, William Totten, city engineer, and Thomas Angelo, head of water pollution control, are checking the construction daily. They are joined by a Fok & amp; Associates engineer, the mayor pointed out.
"It's a very important project for the entire city, not just the downtown," O'Brien said.
About the project
The project, funded by an Ohio Water Authority loan, will separate storm and sanitary sewers in the city's north end, downtown and part of the East Side. Because storm water mixes with sewage, the lines are filled during heavy rains and back up into homes and businesses.
City Auditor David Griffing said there are safeguards in paying bills such as change orders.
If additional work is required during the project, the proposed changes are submitted to Griffing by Gary W. Shaffer, city sewer system engineer, and Fok's engineer.
Not only must they be approved by the city controlling board, which comprises the mayor and safety-service director, but also by the law director, the auditor explained.
Guilty plea
Robison expressed remorse in federal court in August after pleading guilty to 19 counts of mail fraud and one count each of extortion and racketeering, all felonies. He termed himself a "broken man," adding that he had "broken the public trust."
In the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense agreed on a likely sentencing range of 33 to 41 months in federal prison.
"My poor judgment in these matters has totally ruined me, and I would hope that the citizens of Warren would still have faith and respect for their public officials and work with them," he added.
Robison was accused of taking bribes and kickbacks for construction projects from the early 1990s through mid-July 2000. The scheme ripped off the city for demolition work and housing rehabilitation, among other items, with the help of Lapmardo.