Transcripts of taped conversations lend new light in Oakhill case

CLEVELAND

Prosecutors in the Oakhill Renaissance Place criminal corruption case contend Martin Yavorcik, one of the defendants, discussed concealing contributions from Anthony Cafaro Sr. to his failed 2008 Mahoning County prosecutor bid.

Yavorcik also reportedly bragged about his relationship with a judge, and that a disbarred attorney he worked with could successfully settle any personal-injury case.

Prosecutors made public Friday transcripts of taped conversations Yavorcik had with a confidential informant, who comes across as a confidante of the defendant, and of calls between Yavorcik and the informant taped between March 1, 2008, and Feb. 5, 2011.

The 34-page document — signed by Daniel Kasaris, a senior assistant Ohio attorney general and the case’s lead prosecutor — also includes transcripts of conversations of county Auditor Michael V. Sciortino, another defendant in the case, between Feb. 7, 2007, and May 13, 2010.

In those conversations, Sciortino, a Democrat, expresses concern about being indicted, saying on May 13, 2010, that prosecutors “want the Big C [meaning “Businessman 1” or Anthony Cafaro Sr.] ... We are all collateral damage I think.”

Prosecutors charged Yavorcik, Sciortino and Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally in his previous capacity as a county commissioner with 83 counts including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, bribery, perjury, money laundering and tampering with evidence.

The three have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

There are no recordings of McNally, a Democrat.

There are some of Sciortino, but it is Yavorcik who dominates the transcripts released Friday.

Read more about the evidence in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.