'My name is mud,' Yavorcik tells jury in closing argument today

CLEVELAND

A jury will begin deliberations Thursday on 10 felonies facing Martin Yavorcik, a failed 2008 Mahoning County prosecutor candidate.

During his closing arguments, Yavorcik said he is the victim of a vengeful prosecution that stems from issues he and his political allies in 2008 have with county Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, the Democratic incumbent who soundly beat him.

“It’s not a conspiracy; it’s a political campaign,” Yavorcik said during his 45-minute statement to the jury today.

Yavorcik said of politics: “It’s a dirty, nasty business.” He also said, “It is disgusting, but I didn’t commit a crime.”

Matthew E. Meyer, a Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor, said during his 40-minute closing that “the filth of political corruption is something the defendant got used to.” He also said, “That’s Youngstown politics.”

Yavorcik later said in his closing that “this case has a stench and it’s coming from the government.”

Because of this prosecution, Yavorcik said, “My name is mud in Mahoning County, mud. Mission accomplished.”

Meyer described Yavorcik as “a bought-and-paid-for man by one of the richest people in Ohio to get rid of an investigation.”

Meyer said the rich man in question is Anthony Cafaro Sr., the former president of his family-owned Cafaro Co. One criminal count each of bribery and money laundering against Yavorcik accuses him of illegally taking $135,500 from Cafaro, his brother, J.J., and his sister, Flora.

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