Infante appeal likely to get back on track

WARREN — The appeal in the criminal case of former Niles Mayor Ralph Infante is likely to get back on track after Visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove filed a sentencing entry Wednesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to formally state a technical matter related to Infante’s sentencing.

The 11th District Court of Appeals asked her to state the “merger” of two of Infante’s convictions in a sentencing entry. She stated orally during Infante’s sentencing hearing the two charges would merge, the judge and appeals court noted.

The appeals court ruling was issued April 23, and it contained a request the judge file the new entry “as soon as possible.”

The two additional months since then have delayed oral arguments that were scheduled for April.

The judge sentenced Infante, 63, to 10 years in prison in May 2018 for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity during his 24 years as mayor, tampering with records, theft in office, gambling, falsification and having an unlawful interest in a public contract.