Arraignment held for last Oakhill defendant, John Zachariah


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John Zachariah

YOUNGSTOWN

John Zachariah, former Mahoning County Job and Family Services director, was arraigned in absentia this morning on corruption charges related to the county’s purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place.

He was the last of the Oakhill defendants to be arraigned.

Zachariah sent the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court a letter waiving his appearance at his arraignment and entering an innocent plea to all charges pertaining to him.

The letter was faxed from the Cleveland law firm of Synenberg & Associates, and Zachariah’s lawyer, Roger Synenberg, also did not attend the arraignment.

Although he wasn’t required to be present for his arraignment, Zachariah, 64, of Chagrin Falls, must report to the county jail for booking before 10 a.m. Wednesday and will be released immediately on his own recognizance without having to post a cash bond, a court spokeswoman said.

Zachariah is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of conspiracy, three counts of perjury and one count each of bribery and tampering with records.

Zachariah is one of eight defendants named in a 73-count Mahoning County grand jury indictment issued July 28, who allegedly conspired criminally to prevent or delay JFS’ move from Cafaro Co.-owned rented quarters to Oakhill, which the county bought in 2006.

The only person appearing before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney for Zachariah’s arraignment, was David Muhek, an assistant Lorain County prosecutor, who is assigned to this case as a special prosecutor.

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