Warren auditor indicted for sending powder to business

CLEVELAND — Warren Auditor Anthony J. Natale, 37, of Warren, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conveying false information related to the use of a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. Attorney's office here has announced.

Natale, who became auditor at the beginning of this year, mailed an envelope containing white powder via the United States Postal Service to American Business Center, at 7677 South Avenue, Youngstown, on November 10, 2014, the statement says.

This was done with the intent to convey false and misleading information related to the use of a weapon of mass destruction, according to the indictment. Natale formerly worked at American Business Center. He was terminated on Oct. 6, 2014, according to court documents

"This defendant scared employees at his former workplace who opened an envelope containing white powder that they thought was a toxin,” Carole S. Rendon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio said. “He caused panic, fire, police and HazMat units were forced to respond, and his former employer was forced to close their operations for more than two days. Mr. Natale will be held accountable for his actions.”

"There are appropriate, lawful avenues to express your displeasure at work, and inducing panic by sending what is believed to be a weapon of mass destruction is not one of them,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office. "The FBI will continue efforts to identify and protect the public from threats such as the one perpetrated by Mr. Natale.”