Former Traficant aide sued by theft victim's family

YOUNGSTOWN

A 79-year-old Canfield woman has sued J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and Linda Kovachik of Boardman, saying the bank failed to investigate or notify law enforcement after being advised of suspicious activity, and thereby negligently failed to halt the reported theft by Kovachik of the Canfield woman’s assets.

The victim’s loss eventually exceeded $150,000, according to the complaint filed this week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and assigned to Judge Maureen A. Sweeney.

Atty. Corey J. Grimm of Boardman filed the complaint, which seeks at least $150,000 in damages and requests a jury trial, on behalf of the Canfield woman, who, the suit says, has diminished mental capacity.

Neither Kovachik, nor a bank spokesman, could be reached for comment.

Kovachik, 69, who was once an aide to U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., is free on $35,000 bond after having been charged with theft in a criminal case arising from the 79-year-old’s loss.

Read more about the case in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.