AG investigating Trumbull engineer

WARREN

The same special prosecutor who is handling allegations into possible illegal activity by Niles government officials and others is appointed to prosecute possible criminal charges against Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith.

Judge Andrew Logan of common pleas court appointed Daniel Kasaris of the special prosecutions unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on Friday to serve as special prosecutor in the investigation of Smith by the Ohio Ethics Commission, according to a news release from Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins.

The investigation centers on “alleged illegal activity ... which include[s] but is not limited to Having an Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract and various possible violations of Ohio Ethics Law for Public Officials,” according to a judgment entry signed by Judge Logan.

Smith could not be reached Friday to comment.

The ethics commission has conducted the investigation since 2013 with assistance from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the entry says.

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