At a news conference in Cleveland, State Attorney General Mike DeWine read from a long list of charges, including racketeering, against Youngstown Mayor John McNally.
"One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, which is a felony of the first degree; two counts of conspiracy, felonies of the second degree; two counts of bribery, felonies of the third degree," he read. The list continued. In all, McNally faces 25 felony counts and 9 misdemeanor charges, stemming from his time as a Mahoning County commissioner.
Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino faces a similar slew of charges. They are all connected to the county’s purchase eight years ago of the Oakhill Renaissance Place property, which now houses county offices.
"It’s never a happy day when we have to announce corruption charges involving public officials," DeWine said.
The charges are the result of a Cuyahoga County grand jury investigation, and similar to charges first brought in 2010, but later dropped. DeWine and others in his office were brought in as special prosecutors.
Sciortino, the auditor, is alleged to have committed crimes while in his current office. His case is being referred to the state Supreme Court, which could remove him from his position pending the results of the case.
DeWine says the investigation is ongoing, and he left open the possibility that more charges could be filed.