City sued in federal court

YOUNGSTOWN — A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city, its mayor and demolition director by James Ludt, who his lawyer says has been prosecuted for painting messages on his commercial building at 1422 E. Midlothian Boulevard.

The criminal cases were dismissed. His Bedford, Ohio, lawyer, Randi A. Barnabee said Ludt was subjected to prosecution under an ordinance held by the trial court to be unconstitutional, for exercising his right to free speech and participate in the government process. The lawsuit, filed Friday, asks for money damages to be determined at trial.