Girard mayor’s cousin arrested in Youngstown on felony, misdemeanor charges

YOUNGSTOWN — Joseph Melfi, 36, of Girard, the cousin of Girard Mayor James Melfi, has pleaded innocent to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and will be back in court March 9 to face a felony charge of harassment by inmate.

Melfi was arrested by Youngstown Patrolman Francis Bigowsky, son of the former Girard Police Chief Frank Bigowsky. Mayor Melfi demoted Frank Bigowsky in what turned into heated arguments before the city’s civil service commission in 2008. The city and Bigowsky ultimately reached a settlement on the demotion.

According to police reports, Joseph Melfi had been informed that he could not enter the Chevrolet Center for the Saturday night Kelly Pavlik fight because he was intoxicated. Melfi became agitated and police were called.

Several Youngstown police officers responded to the center, including Francis Bigowsky. Reports say officers pleaded with Joseph Melfi for 10 minutes asking that he leave the premises, even offering to call him a cab, but were met with resistance.

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