First Place Bank sued by former president, CEO

WARREN — Steven R. Lewis, the former president and CEO of First Place Financial Corp and its subsidiary First Place Bank, filed a breach-of-contract complaint in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, seeking more than $25,000 in damages from his former employer.

Lewis was terminated on April 20 when the bank’s board of directors met to review his contract and decided it allowed for him to be fired, they filed their decision with the Securities and Exchange Commission that day. Lewis received written notice of his termination four days later.

It remains unclear why Lewis was fired, but according to court documents, filed in June, Lewis cites his right under employment agreements to dispute the termination. By notifying the bank May 17 of his decision to dispute, court documents show that he feels entitled to all compensation under the terms of his contract until the matter is resolved.

Attempts to reach both Lewis’ lawyers and the bank’s lawyers for additional comments were unsuccessful today.

In his court filing, Lewis asked the bank for back pay, attorney’s fees and a lump-sum payment for the uncollected sick-leave benefits he accrued during the 29 years he spent with First Place.

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