Former Trumbull Commissioner James Tsagaris gets prison time for probation violation

AKRON — U.S. Judge Sara Lioi said it appeared James Tsagaris, a former Trumbull County commissioner, showed “utter disregard” for the conditions of his probation, and ordered him to nine months in federal prison.

The order came this morning in federal district court here.

Tsagaris, 75, will have 10 days to arrange for his medical care in prison. It is not clear when he will report to a federal penal institution, but it could be possibly before Christmas.

Judge Lioi sentenced Tsagaris of Howland in August to 12 months house arrest on a honest services mail-fraud conviction. Prosecutors said he took $36,551 from an area businessman while Tsagaris was a county commissioner without reporting it on state financial disclosure statements in 2005 or 2006.

The judge placed Tsagaris on electronically monitored house arrest, three years’ probation and fined him $4,000.

He was allowed to attend church, go to work and go to doctor’s appointments.

U.S. Attorney Justin Roberts said Tsagaris was seen socializing at a Girard cigar store five times, driving his sister to a doctor’s appointment, and having lunch at a McDonald’s restaurant, all in violation of his probation.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com