43
Decision due today on possible Sciortino suspension
Photo
Sciortino
YOUNGSTOWN
A three-member commission considering the suspension of indicted Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino is supposed to make a final decision no later than today.
That is based on the process as outlined in state law.
But some of those familiar with this issue, who spoke to The Vindicator on the condition of anonymity, say there is the possibility the decision could be delayed.
It is a certainty that the panel’s preliminary decision was to suspend Sciortino, and that he appealed it.
The process requires the commission’s three members, all retired judges, to have that preliminary decision no later than 14 days after the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court appointed them June 13. That meant the initial decision was made no later than June 27.
Sciortino, a Democrat, had up to 14 days after that decision to appeal, July 11 at the latest. Then the commission is required to have a closed-door hearing with him no later than 14 days after the appeal, and make a final decision and issue a written report that day. That day is today.
State law doesn’t permit the commission or the Supreme Court to comment on these investigations until a final decision is made.
If the commission suspends Sciortino, he’d still be paid. He makes $89,109 annually as auditor.
The county Democratic Party would select his replacement.
Sciortino is running for re-election with Republican Bill Reese challenging him in the Nov. 4 general election.
Sciortino has shown no willingness to resign his office even if he’s suspended.
State law gives the county Democratic Party until Aug. 11 to replace Sciortino should he resign no later than that day. After that, he’s the party’s candidate unless he withdraws. If that happens, the party cannot replace him on the ballot.
Sciortino faces 16 felony counts and six misdemeanor counts including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, bribery, perjury, money laundering and tampering with records.
Sciortino; Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally, a Democrat; and attorney Martin Yavorcik, who lost the 2008 county prosecutor’s race as an independent candidate, were indicted May 14 in Cuyahoga County on 83 total political corruption charges.
The indictment accuses them of conspiring with a local businessman — who is likely Anthony Cafaro Sr., the former head of the Cafaro Co. — to impede the move of the Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services from the then-Cafaro Co.-owned Garland Plaza on Youngstown’s East Side to Oakhill Renaissance Place.
Oakhill is the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center, which the county bought in federal bankruptcy court in 2006 and to which JFS moved in 2007.