Friends and family of the Youngstown mayor and former Mahoning County auditor wrote letters to the judge asking for forgiveness
McNally and Sciortino Character Letters
Character letters to Judge Janet R. Burnside on behalf of John McNally IV and Michael Sciortino in regards to the Oakhill case.
Related: The Oakhill investigation isn’t over, a prosecutor says
CLEVELAND
Letters from friends and family members of Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally and ex-Mahoning County Auditor Michael V. Sciortino describe the two as good people who should be forgiven for their mistakes.
“I can attest to the fact that [McNally] is an honorable man, public leader, father and husband,” wrote Thomas M. Humphries, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s president and chief executive officer. “His efforts have always been for the right reasons: to serve his family and the community.”
McNally submitted six letters while Sciortino submitted 16 to Judge Janet R. Burnside of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. The judge sentenced both of them Monday to a year of probation for their involvement in the Oakhill Renaissance Place scandal.
Both took plea bargains Feb. 26 to reduced charges.
McNally pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors while Sciortino pleaded guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor.
McNally’s father, John A. McNally III, an attorney for 44 years, wrote that he advised his son that it was legal to fax the county’s confidential officer to buy the Oakhill Renaissance Place in 2006.
His son pleaded guilty to charges related to sending that letter to a Cleveland law firm.
“I still think that advice was right, but that may be irrelevant,” his father wrote the judge.
Youngstown Law Director Martin Hume, hired by McNally for that job, wrote “that any improper conduct would be extremely out of character for the mayor and is certainly unlikely to recur.”
Karen M. Sciortino, the former auditor’s wife of 22 years, wrote she has “witnessed a transformation in Michael’s personality. He has let go of his anger and resentment and has found acceptance and inner peace since politics is no longer the driving force. He has humbled himself by taking a job in our community that is significantly below his qualifications, but he works hard every day serving patrons [at Dunkin’ Donuts] with dignity and grace.”
During Monday’s sentencing, Sciortino said he had a drinking problem, but his indictment May 14, 2014, was the day he became sober.
His wife, in her letter, wrote: “On his own recourse, he sought help and after two years, he remains sober. He now helps others who are struggling with alcoholism.”
Lorraine Sciortino, his sister-in-law, wrote: “I am well aware of the guilty pleas Mike has pled to knowing it was in his family’s best interest to move past the 10 years of uncertainty they have been living with.”
Kelley Braga, another sister-in-law who, with her husband, James, employs Sciortino at Dunkin’ Donuts, wrote: “I am aware that through the years, he has made mistakes, as we all do, but he is a faithful man who values family and friendship.”
Sciortino “has always exhibited a willingness to go beyond the norm to help others, and in particular, the members of our congregation,” wrote the Rev. Monsignor Kenneth E. Miller of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown.