Court files allege Sciortino misused county computers 100's of times

YOUNGSTOWN — Ex-Mahoning County Auditor Michael V. Sciortino illegally used government-owned computers and software more than 300 times for his political campaigns and for his private law practice, according to a court document filed today by prosecutors.

The “bill of particulars” alleges Sciortino, an Austintown Democrat, had the assistance of three of his employees in the auditor’s office to carry out this illegal activity. None of the employees have been indicted.

Among the items found on a county-owned computer in possession of Sciortino was a price list for performing some of the legal services, such as the cost for wills, power of attorney and personal-injury lawsuits, according to the court document.

There is a partial list of witnesses with the document.

Those on the list are former county Auditor and Administrator George Tablack; three county auditor employees: Ingrid Cassidy, Jake Williams, and Alisa Akuszewski; Anthony Magnetta, a former county auditor employee; Lisa Antonini, a former county treasurer and Democratic Party chairwoman; three Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation members; and Dell computer representatives.

Sciortino, 45, was indicted June 4 on 25 felonies: 21 counts of unauthorized use of property – computer or telecommunication property – and four count of theft in office.

The indictment provided lists of alleged illegal use of public computers and software for Sciortino’s campaign. The bill of particulars includes copies of the fundraiser letters, fliers, invitations, thank-you notes and donation solicitations. It also lists numerous other campaign documents including a file “being 73 pages long appearing to be a template for letters to over 100 people for political purposes.”

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