Mahoning Co. probate court employee under scrutiny

YOUNGSTOWN — An employee of the Mahoning County Probate Court has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal court investigation.

Donald Gaudio Jr., deputy clerk and investigator, was placed on leave this morning and has turned in his court credentials, Judge Mark Belinky announced.

The investigation, which should be completed in about two weeks, is being headed by Richard Burgess, the court’s chief magistrate, Judge Belinky said. The probe appears to involve only Gaudio, Judge Belinky added.

The judge said he made the probe public because of rumors circulating about it.

Judge Belinky said it is “unfair and distracting to the other employees of the court to be the subject of innuendos and rumors.”

Gaudio was hired into the $23,690 job on Dec. 8, 2008.

The judge declined to comment further.