Belinky’s probation ends early

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The probation of former Mahoning County Probate Judge Mark Belinky has ended nearly three weeks early.

Visiting Judge Ronald Suster placed Belinky, of Boardman, on two years’ probation July 9, 2014, after he pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations.

In a judgment entry filed Monday, Judge Suster, of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, terminated the probation, effective June 21.

The entry was accompanied by a statement from Joseph Solitro, probation officer, which recommended ending the supervision.

“He has complied with the rules and regulations and is no longer in need of supervision,” Solitro wrote concerning Belinky.

Then-Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Belinky to the probate judgeship in November 2007 after Judge Timothy Maloney retired.

During his successful 2008 election campaign, Belinky falsified his financial records by not reporting debt and hiding the sources of loans, according to the information to which Belinky pleaded guilty.

As part of his guilty plea to tampering with records, Belinky had to resign from the bench, surrender his law license and withdraw from the Democratic Party.

As part of his probation, Belinky, 63, was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest and 200 hours of community service and fined $2,500.

A June 14, 2016, court docket entry records the fine payment.

Visiting Judge R.R. Denny Clunk, a retired Stark County probate judge, was temporarily assigned here by the Ohio Supreme Court until Gov. John Kasich appointed Judge Robert Rusu to succeed him.

Judge Rusu was elected in 2014 to a six-year term as probate judge.