Special prosecutor to launch criminal probe in city of Niles

NILES — Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins appointed Dan Kasaris, a senior assistant Ohio attorney general, as a special prosecutor to investigate “possible criminal conduct” in the operation of the city of Niles government.

In a prepared statement, Watkins wrote he made the request today to Judge Andrew D. Logan of common pleas court, who approved it and ordered “my application and other relevant investigatory records sealed until further order of the court in order to protect this investigation until its completion.”

In a statement, Watkins said he’d have no further comment.

In the judgment entry from Judge Logan, he wrote the attorney general’s office, led by Kasaris, would be investigating “alleged illegal activity in the city of Niles, Ohio, involving government officials and others.”

The charges “include but not limited to theft in office, tampering with records, falsification and dereliction of duty,” Logan wrote.

Officials with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Auditor’s office and FBI seized records Thursday from the city’s zoning and building inspector related to the construction of the Cafaro Co. headquarters at Eastwood Mall; the completed Residence Inn by Marriott and Hampton Inn and Suites, both at the Eastwood Mall complex; and the Italian Marketplace in the former Alberni’s Restaurant space on Youngstown-Warren Road.

Ohio auditor officials searched the office of outgoing Niles Mayor Ralph Infante and took documents in October 2014.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com