Judge Belinky reinstates employee

YOUNGSTOWN — Judge Mark Belinky of Mahoning County Probate Court has reinstated an employee he put on unpaid administrative leave two weeks ago pending an internal court investigation.

In a Monday judgment entry, Judge Belinky said the legal and personal problems of Donald D. Gaudio Jr., 48, of Applecrest Drive, Boardman, deputy clerk and guardianship investigator, “were primarily in the past ... and that he could be a productive employee.”

Gaudio is being reinstated under a 120-day probationary period after which his job performance will be evaluated. If it’s unsatisfactory, he’ll be fired, the judge said.

Although his “work performance needs to be improved to demonstrate a more solid work ethic,” the judge wrote that Gaudio “has not engaged in such egregious conduct during his employment that would warrant his dismissal.”

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com