Judge overrules jurisdiction issue in Oakhill case

CLEVELAND

The judge in the Oakhill Renaissance Place public corruption case overruled a motion by defense attorneys for Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally and Michael V. Sciortino, ex-Mahoning County auditor, arguing that Cuyahoga County lacks jurisdiction for the case.

Judge Janet R. Burnside of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court issued the judgement entry Friday. However, the judge wrote theat since jurisdiction can be questioned at any time, “he Court can revisit this issue should be parties have a basis to raise it more specifically in the future.

Last April, Atty. John B. Juhasz, who represents Sciortino, and Atty. Lynn Maro, who represents McNally, asking Judge Burnside to dismiss the case, contending Cuyahoga County isn’t the proper venue to hear this matter.