Judy Infante gets 1 year probation for role in corruption case

WARREN — Judy Infante, 68, was sentenced to one year of probation today in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for her role in the corrupt enterprise her husband, Ralph Infante, ran during 24 years as Niles mayor.

Visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove said this may be the final hearing in the Infante saga, which began with the start of investigations in the summer of 2014, followed by indictments against the Infantes and a city worker in November 2016 and the 11-day trial that ended May 7 with Ralph Infante's conviction.

Judy Infante was sentenced today on a felony falsification charge and one misdemeanor falsification charge, both related to tax returns by the Infantes. She pleaded no contest and was found guilty April 19 by visiting judge Patricia Cosgove of Summit County, who also presided over Ralph Infante's trial.

Judy Infante cannot appeal the guilty finding, and she is not required to make restitution. She could have gotten up to a year in prison on the felony charge and up to six months in jail on the misdemeanor.

Ralph Infante, 62, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday after being convicted of 22 charges — engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, 13 counts of tampering with records, one of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, two of theft in office, four of gambling and one of falsification.

Judy Infante was not required to testify at her husband's trial and did not.