Oakhill indictment alleges pervasive political corruption

YOUNGSTOWN — An indictment details claims of widespread political corruption in Mahoning County, including bribing county officials, lying under oath to protect business interests and an agreement to fix court cases, among other things — much of it at the direction and benefit of a local businessman.

That person is not named and referred to — often — as Businessman 1 in the 67-page document.

But based on information in the indictment, a previous indictment and campaign finance reports, Businessman 1 is likely Anthony M. Cafaro Sr., the former president of the Cafaro Co.

The criminal enterprise conspired to “improperly influence elected officials in Mahoning County with money and legal services which were provided from Cuyahoga County” law firms and then “cover up, obstruct or illegally hide such conduct,” according to an indictment.

That 83-count indictment charges Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally during his time as county commissioner, county Auditor Michael V. Sciortino, and attorney Martin Yavorcik, a failed 2008 county prosecutor candidate, with felony counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, bribery, perjury, money laundering and tampering with records.

McNally and Sciortino are Democrats while Yavorcik ran in 2008 as an independent.

The indictment contends the public officials who helped the businessman try to stop the relocation of the county’s Department of Job and Family Services “received checks, cash, free legal services and other benefits or gifts to conduct themselves inconsistent with public trust they were obligated to protect and/or serve and then lied about their actions and who they were acting with.

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