Tony Delmont pays restitution in purchasing scam probe

By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Tony Delmont, central figure in the Trumbull County purchasing probe, has paid the $60,000 he owed the county as restitution for money he stole.
County officials said they received a $60,000 payment from the state Monday, and that the money had come from Delmont's account with the Public Employees Retirement System.
On Jan. 27, Common Pleas Judge Peter Kontos sentenced Delmont to three years in prison as soon as he is healthy enough to report. Delmont gave the court a letter from his doctor at University Hospitals HealthSystem indicating he has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and would die without the treatment he receives at the hospital.
Judge Kontos set Delmont's reporting date for prison for April 3 and indicated that his $60,000 fine also was due by that date. The court will await further reports on Delmont's health before determining whether he is healthy enough to go to prison, Judge Kontos said.
Delmont's estranged wife, Karen, 52, pleaded no contest in January to money laundering and was found guilty. Judge W. Wyatt McKay is scheduled to sentence her today for her role in the scandal.
Amount recouped
Chris Becker, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said at the time of Delmont's sentencing that the purchasing probe turned up about $400,000 worth of theft of county money, and fines from various individuals have recouped about $300,000 of it so far. That amount included Delmont's share.
The biggest portion was from defendant Barry Jacobson, a vendor who has paid most of the $200,000 he owes. Defendant Barry Bonchak, another vendor, has paid the $27,000 he owes, Becker said.
Delmont, 50, of Warren, was sentenced to three years in prison on each of seven felony counts of bribery, theft in office and money laundering.
Authorities say Delmont bought maintenance and cleaning supplies in huge quantities and at exorbitant prices. Delmont said he gave $50,000 to elected officials, as well as sporting event tickets, electronic equipment and other gifts, but no public officials have been charged.
runyan@vindy.com