2 local men face federal charges

The case involves two trucks bought by Warren city schools.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two area men face bribery-related charges in federal court in Cleveland in the purchase of equipment by Warren School District.
An information has been filed against Jeffrey Buccella, 40, of Burkey Road, Austintown, and Ralph W. Palmer Jr., 61, of Bowman Street, Niles.
Buccella is the former maintenance supervisor with Community Bus Services, which administers the school district's bus fleet. Palmer managed 3 Star Truck Service in Niles.
Paul Hickson, CBS vice president of operations, said Wednesday that his company has a contract with the district to manage its transportation department. The district owns 30-plus buses and is responsible for its own maintenance.
Buccella is charged with knowingly and corruptly accepting money from Palmer in the purchase of two trucks by the district.
Palmer is charged with giving something of value to Buccella in connection with the truck purchases, which involved federal funds.
Hickson said the only way Buccella, who was a CBS employee, could have been involved in school district purchases is if the district asked him to look for equipment.
Cooperation by district
Dawn Marzano, district spokeswoman, said the district "has cooperated 100 percent in the investigation," adding that Buccella was not a school employee.
"We certainly hope to receive restitution, being the district is the victim," Marzano said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall, who filed the charges after an investigation by the FBI office in Boardman, declined comment Wednesday about the amount of money involved in the transaction when it occurred.
However, Buccella left the employ of CBS in 2002, Hickson said, characterizing his work as "good."
"I'm extremely surprised to hear about this," he added.
An information is a direct charge rather than the case going before a grand jury. In many such cases, the defendants have agreed to plead guilty.
Buccella and Palmer have unlisted phone numbers and could not be reached to comment; 3 Star Truck Service is not listed, either.
Niles Police Chief Bruce Simeone said he doesn't know of a 3 Star Truck Service in the city.
yovich@vindy.com