Martini Burger bar owner pleads to money laundering

YOUNGSTOWN

Four men entered guilty pleas in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for their roles in a sports memorabilia fraud case.

Judge Maureen Sweeney accepted pleas of guilty to bills of information by James Serenko, 33, of Austintown; Jason Lenzie, 31, of Columbiana: Daniel Martini, 29, of Girard and the owner of the Martini Burger Bar downtown; and Shawn Pelo, 26, of Warren.

Martini pleaded guilty to a bill of information to a charge of money laundering. The other three men pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Probation is recommended for all four men with the stipulation they cooperate with police in their investigation.

Assistant Prosecutor Martin Desmond said the four were part of a ring that used eBay to sell forged autographs of professional athletes, then would launder the money by using bank accounts belonging to other people.