Chuck Sammarone was sentenced to five years of probation and he has to do 30 days of community service

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Former Youngstown Mayor Chuck Sammarone pleaded guilty in court Monday morning. He faced 14 charges in connection to a local corruption case but almost all of them have been wiped away with the plea deal.

Sammarone was indicted in 2018. He accepted responsibility for failing to include rental income from a condo he owns in Florida on forms officeholders are required to fill out.

He did not plead guilty to bribery.

“I want that understood by the public,” said John Shultz, Sammarone’s attorney. “Chuck would rather have plead guilty to aggravated murder than bribery charges because he’s never committed bribery.”

Sammarone’s charges were dismissed.

He apologized to the city and those who have supported him.

“I’d also like to apologize to my family, especially my wife of 55 years,” Sammarone said.

“Further, your honor, the state agrees that no further action and/or prosecution against any member of the defendant’s family will arise out of this indictment,” said Assistant Attorney General Dan Kasaris.

Sammarone was sentenced to five years of probation and he has to do 30 days of community service with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.

“He’s not obligated to testify,” Shultz said. “He’s going to go on with the rest of his life.”

Shultz maintains Sammarone was not involved with Dominic Marchionda and former city finance director Dave Bozanich. Their cases are ready for trial this summer.