Former county engineer pleads guilty to Ohio ethics violations
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Former Trumbull County Engineer David DeChristofaro pleaded guilty to Ethics Law violations this week in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.
DeChristofaro was convicted of one fifth-degree felony theft count and one first-degree misdemeanor count of conflict of interest.
In his plea, DeChristofaro admitted to using the resources of his public office for personal use and to conduct campaign activities.
The investigation revealed that the former engineer used public personnel, public time and other county resources, such as stationery and postage, for mailings and holiday postcards to county Democratic precinct committee members. He further used public resources to organize campaign fundraising events, such as golf outings, dinners and “mixers.”
Ohio Ethics Commission Executive Director Paul Nick stated, “The citizens of Trumbull County have the right to expect that county money and resources will be used for county purposes, not for campaigning or personal fundraising.”
The court ordered DeChristofaro to pay $5,000 in restitution to Trumbull County as well as $7,400 in investigation costs to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. He was also sentenced to two years of community control and a suspended 11-month prison sentence.
DeChristofaro has already resigned from public office. Julie Korte, Chief Investigative Attorney for the Ohio Ethics Commission, who also served as Special Prosecutor in this case, stated that the prosecution would oppose any attempt by the defense to expunge DeChristofaro’s convictions.[[In-content Ad]]
DeChristofaro was convicted of one fifth-degree felony theft count and one first-degree misdemeanor count of conflict of interest.
In his plea, DeChristofaro admitted to using the resources of his public office for personal use and to conduct campaign activities.
The investigation revealed that the former engineer used public personnel, public time and other county resources, such as stationery and postage, for mailings and holiday postcards to county Democratic precinct committee members. He further used public resources to organize campaign fundraising events, such as golf outings, dinners and “mixers.”
Ohio Ethics Commission Executive Director Paul Nick stated, “The citizens of Trumbull County have the right to expect that county money and resources will be used for county purposes, not for campaigning or personal fundraising.”
The court ordered DeChristofaro to pay $5,000 in restitution to Trumbull County as well as $7,400 in investigation costs to the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. He was also sentenced to two years of community control and a suspended 11-month prison sentence.
DeChristofaro has already resigned from public office. Julie Korte, Chief Investigative Attorney for the Ohio Ethics Commission, who also served as Special Prosecutor in this case, stated that the prosecution would oppose any attempt by the defense to expunge DeChristofaro’s convictions.[[In-content Ad]]