Bar files complaint against Yavorcik

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Mahoning County Bar Association filed a complaint against Martin Yavorcik, convicted in 2016 for his involvement in the Oakhill Renaissance Place corruption scandal, contending the suspended lawyer failed to give more than $10,000 in settlement money to a client.

The complaint, filed with the Board of Professional Conduct of the Ohio Supreme Court, states that Yavorcik owes $10,931.28 to a client who is the parent and guardian of a minor injured in an Aug. 12, 2013, motor vehicle accident in Mahoning County. The case was resolved two years later but the client never received the settlement money from Yavorcik, who was his attorney, according to the complaint.

This complaint is in addition to one filed by the county bar association against Yavorcik related to his March 25, 2016, conviction on eight felonies related to the Oakhill scandal. He was found guilty of one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy and tampering with records, two counts of money laundering and three counts of bribery.

A Cuyahoga County judge sentenced him April 22, 2016, to five years’ probation, including the first year on house arrest, and suspended his law license for five years.

The Cleveland-based 8th District Court of Appeals heard an appeal March 28, 2017. More than a year later, the court hasn’t made a decision.