Klein sentenced to probation

By Elise Franco | March 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Youngstown

The former owner of two Canfield motels is sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to a charge of promoting prostitution.

Arthur Klein, 68, was sentenced Thursday before Judge Lou A. D’Apolito in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Sentencing came two months after Klein pleaded guilty to the felony charge that stemmed from an investigation led by the Canfield Police Department in 2009. Police checked into complaints related to prostitution at Klein’s former properties, the El Patio Motel, 485 W. Main St., and the Canfield Colonial Motel, 7815 Akron-Canfield Road.

Five former employees from the motels also pleaded guilty to related crimes in 2009.

“When you own a property, all the things that flow from that become the ownership of that person,” Judge D’Apolito said. “I believe you’ve suffered economically as well as in your reputation to the community, and the embarrassment is punishment in itself.”

The judge said he believes Klein did everything asked of him to comply with court orders, including selling both properties.

Judge D’Apolito said Klein is “prohibited from owning any motels for the duration of that two-year sanction.”

Then Klein thanked the judge, and when asked if he had anything he wanted to say to the court, Klein apologized.

“I accept responsibility for what happened and apologize to this court,” he said. “I apologize to my friends and to my family and to the community.”

Klein’s attorney, John Shultz, and the prosecuting attorney, Robert Bush Jr., said the sentence was appropriate.

“I believe it was a fair conclusion to a rather difficult and embarrassing situation for Mr. Klein,” Shultz said. “As a result of this, he’s been forced to surrender his source of income and sell a large investment.”

D’Apolito told Klein that though his sentence included no jail time, if he breaks the conditions of his parole, he could be given a longer parole sentence or serve up to 12 months in jail.

“I must make you aware if I ever find you did commit some type of illegal act ... I will send you, without hesitation, to serve 12 months in jail.”

Shultz said he’s certain Klein won’t find himself in that situation.

“I can assure you that you’ll never see him here again,” he said.