Hughes complains of potential law violation by opponent

Hughes complains of potential law violation by opponent

AUSTINTOWN — Former Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, a Mahoning County sheriff’s candidate, is questioning whether an opponent violated a federal law that would make him ineligible to run in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

But Jerry Greene, the opponent in question, says Hughes is wrong about that and other issues.

At a Wednesday press conference at his campaign office in Austintown, Hughes accused county Democratic Party Chairman David Betras of pressuring him and Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin, also a Democratic sheriff candidate, to get out of the race before the party’s Jan. 7 endorsement.

Also, Hughes said Betras told Struthers Law Director Dominic Leone that it wouldn’t be a good political move to serve as the former Youngstown police chief’s campaign treasurer.

Goodin and Leone said Hughes statements aren’t accurate.

Goodin said Betras asked him to withdraw if he didn’t receive the party’s endorsement.

Leone said Betras and others advised him that the responsibility of his new job as Struthers law director would keep him busy and being Hughes’ campaign treasurer might be too much.

Leone said that was good advice.

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