Ohio AG, ethics commission to investigate DeChristofaro

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the state ethics commission will investigate the potential misuse of county property equipment, resources and labor for political activity by Trumbull County Engineer David DeChristofaro.

The $171.85 in expenses for letters and cards sent to Democratic precinct committee members and political supporters was reimbursed by DeChristofaro’s campaign committee, according to a letter sent Thursday by county Prosecutor Dennis Watkins to county Auditor Adrian Biviano.

Biviano had asked Watkins’ office on Jan. 6 to give an opinion “regarding the legality” of DeChristofaro “reimbursing the county engineer’s fund with campaign money.”

Because the prosecutor “has a clear conflict of interest to investigate and represent the county engineer’s office at the same time” Watkins asked the two state agencies to review this matter.

But in the five-page letter, Watkins wrote: “These activities and reimbursement as outlined in your submissions appear to indicate to me that various statutes of Ohio may have been violated.”

DeChristofaro is out of the office till the first week of February and couldn’t be reached to comment today.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com