Indictees vow vigorous defense

Oakhill Gang Booked

Gallery

Oakhill corruption probe defendants go to the Mahoning County jail to be booked - fingerprinted and take mug shots.

By John W. GOODWIN JR.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Three of the seven people indicted in the Mahoning County probe into the purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place say they will defend themselves vigorously against the charges.

County Commissioner John A. McNally IV, county Auditor Michael V. Sciortino, Flora Cafaro, part owner of the Cafaro Co., and Attorney Martin Yavorcik all appeared at the county jail Wednesday morning to be fingerprinted and photographed.

A total of seven people, the Cafaro Co. and two of its subsidiaries, were named in a 73-count indictment last week.

Sciortino arrived at the jail at 9:20 a.m. wearing a dark suit, carrying a cup of coffee and appearing relaxed. He said he feels the charges lodged against him were politically motivated.

“I look forward to fighting these, what I call ridiculous, charges. I look forward to presenting my side of the case and clearing my name,” he said.

He is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, perjury, bribery, conflict of interest, filing a false financial disclosure statement and soliciting or accepting improper compensation.

Sciortino said he stands by his decision to oppose the county’s purchase of Oakhill, the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center. He said there is no business plan for the building, just change order after change order costing the county money.

“It’s just a money pit, and it was for those reasons I fought it,” he said. He added he has no intention on bowing out of the upcoming November election.

McNally arrived at the justice center at 10:25 a.m. for processing. He also said he looks forward to defending himself against the allegations.

“I am happy we have gotten to this point. For 21/2 years this has been investigated; neither I nor my attorney have been able to address the issues,” he said. “I am going to fight like a dog.”

The commissioner is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, perjury, bribery, conflict of interest, disclosure of confidential information and soliciting or accepting improper compensation.

McNally said he is convinced that opposing the purchase was the right thing to do. He said the hidden costs associated with the purchase are going to be a future drain on the county’s resources.

Yavorcik arrived at the jail at 8:45 a.m. Wearing a dark suit and white shirt, he quickly climbed the steps in front of the jail saying only, “I have no comment guys” before entering the building to be processed. Yavorcik was indicted on a single count of money laundering.

By 11:15 a.m., Flora Cafaro was making her way up the steps accompanied by her attorney William Doyle. She said nothing, but Doyle said he plans to vigorously defend his client against any and all charges “to a successful conclusion.”

Flora Cafaro was indicted on a single money-laundering charge.

Three other people also are indicted. John Zachariah, former county Job and Family Services director, is out of town and did not appear for booking. He is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, perjury, bribery, and tampering with records.

Anthony M. Cafaro Sr., the recently retired president of the Cafaro Co., has been ordered to appear for booking today. He is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, perjury, bribery, and money laundering.

Former county Treasurer John Reardon received a judgment entry from Judge Lou D’Apolito ordering him to appear at the jail by 1:30 p.m. Friday.

He faces charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, perjury, bribery, conflict of interest, and filing a false financial disclosure statement.

The indictment charges Anthony Cafaro Sr. and his business entities of conspiring with McNally, Sciortino, Reardon and Zachariah to prevent or delay the relocation of the county’s Job and Family Services department from the Cafaro-owned Garland Plaza, also known as the McGuffey Mall, on the city’s East Side to Oakhill.

The office was relocated in 2007.

The indictment accuses McNally, Sciortino, Reardon and Zachariah of taking bribes from the Cafaro Co. and/or its subsidiaries.