Thursday, April 27, 2006
Officials anticipate no problems with Delmont's medical needs.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The state prison system says it can treat the ailing Tony Delmont, convicted central figure in the Trumbull County purchasing scandal, while behind bars.
Delmont, 50, of Warren, was sentenced Jan. 27 to three years in prison for helping cleaning supply companies bilk some $400,000 from the county between 1999 and 2002, in return for bribes when he was county maintenance director.
Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court has delayed Delmont's reporting date to prison until it is determined if he is healthy enough for prison life. Delmont has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer. His doctors have said he has a 50-percent chance of survival.
He is being treated at the University Hospital Health System's Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland.
On Wednesday, Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor, filed a memorandum with Judge Kontos informing the judge that Delmont can receive treatment in the state prison system.
Letter brought up
In making his argument, he referred to an April 19 letter from John F. Gardner, director of nursing for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC).
Gardner wrote that Dr. Michael Stanek, a hematology and oncology specialist at The Ohio State University's James Cancer Hospital, said Delmont can receive the same medical protocol he's receiving at Ireland.
Gardner informed Becker that OSU Medical Center and Dr. Stanek "have provided this type of care to many patients in the past, so we do not anticipate any problems with his medical needs."
"DRC is able to provide for this patient's medical needs during his incarceration with our specialty health care services" with the OSU Medical Center and James, Gardner said.
A DRC spokeswoman said that inmates in need of high-level care can be assigned to the Corrections Medical Center, a Columbus prison hospital, or OSU Medical Center.
In addition, Becker pointed out that state law authorizes the governor to release a prisoner that is in imminent danger of death.
A spokeswoman for Judge Kontos said Wednesday that the judge will set a hearing to discuss the contents of the memorandum with Becker and defense attorney Robert Shaker.
Delmont was sentenced to prison on each of seven felony counts of bribery, theft in office and money laundering.
He was also fined $60,000, which was paid from his account with the Public Employees Retirement System.
Authorities say that Delmont bought maintenance and cleaning supplies in large quantities and at exorbitant prices.
Earlier this week, former Lyndhurst mayor Barry Jacobson was sentenced by Judge Kontos to five years' probation and 30 days in the Geauga County Jail.
While working for a Cleveland-area cleaning supply company, Jacobson worked through Delmont, stealing $200,000 from the county.
yovich@vindy.com