Sciortino has grown in the job as Mahoning County’s auditor

In the May 4 contest for the Democratic nomination for Mahoning County auditor, there is an incumbent who has been in office since September 2005, and a challenger who lacks the credentials to be the chief financial officer — and who had initially considered running for commissioner.

By any accounting, Auditor Michael V. Sciortino stands head and shoulders above his opponent, Andrew D’Apolito, in terms of qualifications and experience.

Take education. Sciortino has a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics, a master’s degree in public administration and a law degree. D’Apolito is a high school graduate.

But if education isn’t a priority, consider each candidate’s work experience.

The incumbent served in the county commissioners’ office, was director of the board of elections and had a law practice before becoming auditor. The challenger was a carpenter apprentice in a local company before being hired by the county Sanitary Engineering Department as a laborer. He worked his way up and served as superintendent of operations for more than 20 years. He retired last year and now receives a public pension estimated at $70,000 a year.

Mahoning County is in the midst of a fiscal crisis that requires the budgetary expertise of the auditor, county commissioners and administrator/budget director. There cannot be a weak link, which is what D’Apolito would be, in the county’s battle for fiscal stability.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that we are endorsing Sciortino for the Democratic nomination for county auditor. But our support is conditioned on the results of a special grand jury probe of the county’s purchase of Oak- hill Renaissance Place, the former Southside Medical Center. The panel is investigating possible conflicts of interest on the part of several current and former county officials, including Sciortino.

If there are indictments, they will be issued after the primary election. Therein lies our problem.

In his interview with The Vindicator’s editorial board, Sciortino said he does not expect to be indicted because “I have not done anything wrong” with regard to Oakhill Renaissance.

The auditor was opposed to the purchase and refused to issue a check to the owners until ordered to do so by the courts. But now that it’s a done deal, he pledged that he would do everything in his power to make the project work financially.

As far as the grand jury investigation is concerned, Sciortino said he will not step aside if he is indicted. That is unacceptable.

Credibility

We have long maintained that while an indictment is not proof of guilt, it does raise questions about the credibility of the individual. And when that person is an officeholder, the whole system of government is viewed with suspicion.

We were hoping that Sciortino would recognize the damage an indictment against him would do to the county, but his response to our questions left no doubt in our minds that he intends to fight whatever charges are filed against him — while he keeps his position as auditor.

That is why our endorsement comes with this proviso: We will withdraw our support of Sciortino if he is indicted.

This isn’t about his ability to serve as auditor. He has certainly grown in the office since he took over in 2005, and has made use of technology to not only improve efficiency, but to save money.

In response to the county’s fiscal crisis, Sciortino has reduced office hours, laid off three staffers, abolished a $55,000-a-year accounting position and has left three full-time positions vacant.

By contrast, D’Apolito speaks in generalities about the operation of the auditor’s office and the budget. Indeed, in response to a question about the major issues in the race, the former superintendent of operations in the sanitary engineering department offered this: “ ... honesty and transparency which affect the way people act on the taxes they are asked to pass.”

That comment is clearly designed to curry favor with those voters who believe that government is the enemy. However, D’Apolito’s three decades on the public payroll and now his full pension and fully paid health benefits make his criticism disingenuous at best.

It is unfortunate that the Democratic primary did not attract an opponent for Sciortino with the credentials and qualifications to serve as the county’s chief financial officer. But there is still an opportunity for an individual who is a certified public accountant or someone with expertise in government accounting to step forward. The filing deadline for independent candidacies is May 3.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Tracey Winbush, who is unopposed for her party’s nomination.