Lawsuit says procedures flawed for issuing Mahoning Co. arrest warrants

YOUNGSTOWN — Go Go Cabaret owner Sebastian Rucci is now looking to reveal — and end — a Mahoning County practice that he said has led to what he believes is more than 67,000 illegally issued arrest warrants.

Rucci and Atty. James Vitullo filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court claiming county clerks in Austintown, Beaver, Boardman, Goshen, Green, Jackson, Milton, Smith and Springfield townships have issued 67,474 warrants against people without probable cause, a violation of their constitutional rights.

It was filed on behalf of nine women — Shannon Graves, Michelle Benner, Amber Sexton, Nikki Montecalvo, April Ellis, Amanda Wallace, Erica Jackson, Mary Pratt and Trisha Narkum — who are or were employees at the Go Go Cabaret in Austintown, owned by Rucci.

Rucci is currently under indictment by a county grand jury on an array of charges involving the club. He said, however, he doesn’t see a conflict of interest with the new lawsuit and the case against him.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com