Roller sentencing delayed again

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Sentencing for the former director of the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership on theft charges was delayed Wednesday for the second time this month.

A new sentencing date of Aug. 14 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has been set for Richard Roller, 51, of Colonial Drive in Liberty, who was convicted May 13 by a jury before visiting Judge Paul Mitrovich on felony charges of theft and grand theft.

The jury found him not guilty of having an improper influence on a public contract, and Judge Mitrovich dismissed a fourth charge after the conclusion of the trial.

Sentencing also was set for July 6, but that also was continued. Attorneys would not comment Wednesday on the reason for the continuance.

The charges were first filed in 2012.

Roller was placed on unpaid administrative leave in April 2010, and the MYCAP board fired him in May 2010 in the wake of the Ohio Department of Development’s investigation into whether the nonprofit organization misappropriated funds and resources while he led it. He was indicted by a grand jury in October 2012.

The case was assigned to former Judge James C. Evans, who granted seven requests by the defense for continuances before Evans retired and the case was assigned to his replacement, Judge Shirley J. Christian. She began to hear the case in late 2014 but declared a mistrial Dec. 1. The case then was assigned to Judge Mitrovitch.

Judge Mitrovich agreed to four more continuances by the defense in 2015 before the case went to trial in May.

Roller has been free on bond.

The counts lodged against Roller said he used his position to secure authorization of a public contract in which he or members of his family had a special interest; he deceptively deprived the state of property or services greater than $7,500; and he used his office to commit theft.

MYCAP administers programs ranging from the Home Weatherization Assistance Program to the Community Services Block Grant.

The case was prosecuted by special prosecutors with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.