Special prosecutor looking into allegations against Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith

WARREN

The same special prosecutor who is handling allegations into wrongdoing by Niles officials is now appointed to prosecute any criminal charges that may be filed 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 to serve as special prosecutor in the “ongoing 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.

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

On July 18, Deputy Attorney General and Special Prosecutions Section Chief Matthew Donahue requested, in a letter to Watkins, that his office be appointed. After reviewing the materials provided to Watkins, he agreed that the appointment of a special prosecutor “is well taken,” the entry says.

Watkins’ office could not handle the prosecution because it would be a conflict of interest because Watkins’ office provides legal counsel to Smith’s office, the entry says.