Former Mahoning County sanitary engineer investigated for improper conduct

YOUNGSTOWN — Rachel L. Livengood, Mahoning County’s human resources director, has been investigating J. Robert Lyden, the county’s former sanitary engineer, regarding his business relationship with a local excavating company.

Based on her interviews and review of documents, it appears that the company “enjoys a relationship with the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer, Robert Lyden, that provides a level of access that is not available to other vendors,” she wrote in a July 12 report to the commissioners.

Livengood said that included expedited payments, access to proposed plans for un-bid projects, and changes to plan designs that don’t follow the customary change order process.

The HR director acknowledged she had not discussed the allegation with Lyden, who left his job as sanitary engineer Friday after John A. McNally IV, chairman of the commissioners, told him the commissioners desire “to move in a new direction,” with regard to the sanitary engineer’s job.

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