New indictment against Sciortino speaks volumes

Michael V. Sciortino, the disgraced former auditor of Mahoning County, did not have the moral underpinnings to serve in such an important position. Indeed, less than a month after he was sworn in, Sciortino’s conduct reflected an attitude that only can be described as arrogant.

According to a 25-count indictment handed down by a Mahoning County grand jury, the auditor began using his government-owned computers and software for his political campaigns and for his private law practice Oct. 6, 2005. He was appointed to the position Sept. 14, 2005, after George Tablack resigned.

The indictment charges Sciortino with 21 counts of unauthorized use of property – computer or telecommunications – and four counts of theft in office.

While these charges are comparatively less serious than the 22 state criminal counts Sciortino faces for his alleged role in the Oakhill Renaissance Place conspiracy case, they, nonetheless, provide part of the tapestry of corruption created by Sciortino.

As we have said on numerous occasions, he was patently unqualified to be the county’s chief financial officer, especially considering that his predecessor, Tablack, was a certified public accountant deeply grounded in government accounting.

Sciortino, a Democratic Party insider, was working for the county board of elections when he was elected by the precinct committeemen and women to be county auditor.

NO SURPRISE HERE

The latest indictment alleging criminal behavior comes as no surprise to those who have monitored his behavior in office.

Although the new charges result from search warrants related to the investigation of the Oakhill Renaissance Place conspiracy, the charges are not tied to the big case.

In other words, Sciortino will have to mount multiple defenses.

Our use of the word arrogant to describe his behavior not long after he took office also applies to other instances during his tenure. For instance, he sought re-election twice while embroiled in the Oakhill criminal- conspiracy case.

The first time, voters in Mahoning County chose to ignore the seriousness of the case, but last year, they not only rejected the incumbent, but elected a political newcomer, Ralph Meacham.

Meacham, a Republican, is a certified public accountant with an impressive resume of private-sector work.

In our strong endorsement of Meacham, we focused on his pledge to “restore faith and trust in the office” and his pledge to make transparency a guiding principle. The auditor has been true to his word.

In that editorial, we offered this observation about the incumbent: “Unless Sciortino has a prison wish, he will be forced to spend an inordinate amount of time working with his lawyers on his defense. And regardless of what he says about putting in a full day’s work, personal legal issues will arise that will require him to take time off.

“Mahoning County taxpayers deserve better.”

But we also pointed out that Sciortino was not fazed by the charges against him and the dark cloud hanging over his head.

His defeat in the November general election spared the people of Mahoning County the pain of having a morally challenged individual in an important position of public trust.

Sciortino’s tenure in office and his behavior once the Oakhill Renaissance Place scandal began to unfold make him undeserving of sympathy or understanding.

He had everything going for him in government – undeservedly so – but he just could not bring himself to walk the straight and narrow.

But although he’s no longer on the public payroll, his presence in Mahoning County will be felt for a long time.

He goes on trial in March on the 22 state criminal charges relating to the Oakhill conspiracy, and unless he cuts a deal, we will be forced to relive all the sordid details of his role in trying to derail the county’s purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place, the former Southside Medical Center.

Also on trial in the Oakhill case will be Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally, stemming from his tenure as a county commissioner, and Youngstown Atty. Martin Yavorcik.