Details of Oakhill charges sealed from public, judge rules

YOUNGSTOWN — The prosecution’s bill of particulars will be filed under seal for the eight defendants accused of conspiring to prevent or delay the move of Mahoning County’s Department of Job and Family Services from Cafaro Co.-owned rented quarters to Oakhill Renaissance Place.

That is the ruling of the judge presiding over the case.

Visiting Judge William H. Wolff Jr. of Kettering said the bill, in which the prosecution will give details concerning the charges, will be sealed to avoid having publicity concerning it influence potential trial jurors.

A bill of particulars already has been filed publicly concerning two other defendants in the case who are not charged with conspiracy.

Judge Wolff, 68, set June 6, 2011, as the date for the trial to begin. He estimated the trial would last two to three months and said the Oakhill matter is the most complex case he has ever presided over.

Oakhill is the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center, which the county bought in 2006.

The judge made his remarks this morning after a 90-minute conference in his chambers with three special prosecutors and about a dozen defense lawyers. Defense lawyers came from as far away as Boston and New York City. No session was held in open court.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com