Man accused of threatening Betras held without bond

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The man accused of planting a fake bomb at the law office of Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras was arraigned in federal court Wednesday and ordered held without bond.

Charles Reighard, 67, of state Route 7, Burghill, entered not-guilty pleas before Magistrate Judge George Limbert in U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio to charges he tried to extort money through the mail from Betras and he threatened to destroy Betras’ office with an explosive.

Lambert ordered Reighard be held without bond pending his trial.

Police found a fake bomb at Betras’ Canfield law office Oct. 16. Federal authorities said that is the same day Reighard implied the office could be destroyed by a bomb.

On Sept. 4 and Oct. 17 Reighard is accused of demanding money from Betras or, he said, he would harm him and his family.

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