Pre-trial delay denied by Cleveland judge in Oakhill case

CLEVELAND

A judge overseeing a political corruption case has denied a request from Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino’s attorney to postpone today’s first pretrial hearing.

Sciortino, Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally and attorney Martin Yavorcik were indicted May 14 on a total of 83 criminal charges — including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and tampering with records.

An official in the office of Judge Janet R. Burnside of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court said Wednesday that the hearing will start at 9 a.m. Thursday as scheduled.

The defendants are not required to attend the hearing, and the three aren’t expected to be there.

John Juhasz, who represents Sciortino, requested the postponement because he is defending Aubrey Toney in a capital murder case in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

In a Monday court filing, Juhasz asked the judge for a delay. His “best estimate” was the Toney case and a potential sentencing would likely be wrapped up in about two weeks.

Juhasz can handle the pretrial matters by telephone, the judge’s office said.

Lynn Maro, who represents McNally, will not travel to Cleveland and will participate in the hearing by phone.

Jennifer Scott, Yavorcik’s attorney, said she as well as lawyers from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the lead prosecutors, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, assisting the AG, will meet in chambers with the judge.

Read more on the matter in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.