CLEVELAND, Ohio – A former prosecutor in the Mahoning Valley agreed to reduce the charges against a criminal defendant in exchange for truck repairs, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors in Cleveland are handling the case of Nicholas Graham, 52, of Warren, who is accused of conspiracy, wire fraud and extortion. Brian Votino, 52, of Niles faces similar charges.
Attorneys for the men could not be reached for comment late Tuesday afternoon.
The case stems from October 2019, when Votino was charged in Warren Municipal Court with possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and drunken driving, a first-degree misdemeanor. Graham was the assistant city prosecutor who handled the case.
Records show the drug case was reduced to a misdemeanor, while the drunken driving charge was dropped to reckless operation. Votino pleaded guilty to the charges. Graham urged a judge to give Votino probation, which records show the businessman obtained.
In exchange, the indictment alleges, Votino’s auto repair shop worked to fix Graham’s bumper on his truck. It also was to check out an issue with Graham’s golf cart, according to the indictment. To cover up the work, Graham instructed Votino, through an intermediary, to falsify a bill for the services and avoid telling Votino’s criminal defense attorney, prosecutors said.
Graham served 21 years in the Warren prosecutor’s office, according to The Tribune Chronicle, the city’s newspaper. He was fired in 2022. The newspaper reported that the move stemmed from the city’s law department wanting “to move in a different direction.”
Federal prosecutors are seeking to use forfeiture to obtain any proceeds obtained from the crime.
Both men were released on personal bonds after an arraignment Tuesday.
FBI agents investigated the allegations. The case is assigned to the Cleveland courtroom of Senior U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver.
