State Serves Warrants at Bozanich Home, 3 Other Sites
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The office of Ohio Auditor David Yost announced this morning that search warrants were being executed at four locations in Boardman and Canfield, including the residence of Youngstown Finance Director David Bozanich.
In addition to Bozanich’s house, 7842 Walnut St., Unit B, Boardman, the warrants are being executed at: 3722 Starr Centre Drive, #A, Canfield, the office of Steve Garea; 3780 Fawn Drive, Canfield, Garea’s residence; and 4355 Devonshire Drive, Boardman, residence of Panzy Eldridge, Bozanich’s girlfriend, according to media reports.
Much of the activity this afternoon appeared to be centered on Garea’s residence, where there were several official vehicles from investigating agencies.
Mayor John McNally, who is out of town today, said city Law Director Martin Hume notified him around 9:30 a.m., before today’s scheduled Board of Control meeting, regarding the warrants but did not have further comment.
“Obviously it would seem like this is a follow-up to the investigation currently ongoing,” McNally said.
Hume declined to comment on the matter. He said the city already had provided investigators with “voluminous city documents” but would be happy to cooperate if further documents were required.
In March, search warrants were executed at the home of developer Dominic Marchionda and the downtown office of his NYO Property Group.
One of the issues believed to be under investigation is the purchase by a Marchionda entity, in 2009, of the closed fire station at 141 Madison Ave., reportedly for $1 million. That purchase was related to the development of a student housing complex, Flats at Wick, that USA Campus Suite LLC built in 2010.
How that issue pertains to Bozanich and execution of the search warrants is a matter probably better left for the auditor of state to address, McNally said.
By late morning, investigators were no longer at Bozanich’s house not at Garea’s office. Shortly after noon, they were still at Eldridge’s residence.
Bozanich did not respond to requests for comment. Messages were left at his office in City Hall and on his cell phone via voicemail and text.
In a release, Yost’s office said it would not comment on the warrants because the matter involves an ongoing investigation.
In addition to Yost’s office, agencies participating in this morning’s action include the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Mahoning County sheriff’s department.
BACKGROUND
March 17, 2017: Agents Searching NYO, Marchionda’s Home Refuse to Provide Search Warrants
March 17, 2017: BCI, Sheriff Raid NYO Office, Marchionda’s Home
Jan. 16, 2016: City Provides Records of Marchionda Grant Payments
Jan. 7, 2016: Marchionda Fights Subpoenas for Records of City Grants
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