Login | November 16, 2024
Mahoning Cty. prosecutor Gina DeGenova discusses campaign goals
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 13, 2024
When Gina DeGenova was first appointed to replace retiring Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains in late 2022, she said she had three main goals—bringing criminals to justice, keeping the community safe and protecting the most vulnerable citizens.
Now as she runs for a full term in office against defense attorney Lynn Maro, she said her plan hasn’t changed.
“As county prosecutor, I will always be committed to working with law enforcement to ensure that those who violate our laws are prosecuted,” said DeGenova. “My team and I monitor all upcoming parole hearings and file objections to the release of dangerous criminals.
“We also support diversion programs that are available to those who qualify due to an addiction, mental illness or status as a veteran.”
DeGenova does have one thing in common with her Republican opponent, neither one has run for office.
Initially appointed as acting prosecutor, DeGenova was elected by the Mahoning County Democratic Central Committee to complete the remainder of Gains’ term, which ends Dec. 31, 2024.
Over the last 18 months, DeGenova said she and her staff have developed a number of initiatives to assist residents and help keep the community safe ranging from establishing a new special victims unit to collaborating with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office on projects designed to protect the elderly and those with conditions such as autism and dementia.
“I love the community and I feel we have made a positive difference in the lives of residents in the short time I’ve held the office,” she said. “And I plan to do even more moving forward.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson said the party is “incredibly excited” about DeGenova and her campaign.
“She’s running a positive, issues-based campaign on what she has done while her opponent is running a campaign rooted in hypotheticals and partisan nonsense to hide that she has no real plans for the office,” said Anderson.
Mahoning County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Linette M. Stratford, who has worked closely with DeGenova for nearly 20 years, said she continues to be “impressed” with her ability to take on new challenges and “far exceed” expectations, while promoting fiscal responsibility and transparency.
“Gina DeGenova has always been a dedicated and talented prosecutor,” said Stratford. “But she has proven herself to be an equally talented leader, both in the office and in the community. She truly loves the job.
“She has brought a renewed vigor to the office and the community.
“We are doing so much more now,” said Stratford. “Prosecutor DeGenova is a real innovator, constantly looking for new ways our office can promote public safety and engage with the community.”
DeGenova was raised in Niles, Ohio and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University.
After earning her juris doctor from Cleveland State University College of Law in 2000, DeGenova started as an associate in the Warren office of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, where she focused on litigation and employment law.
She joined the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecutor in July 2005 and was promoted to chief assistant prosecutor in January 2021.
While chief assistant prosecutor, she unveiled the Mahoning County Special Needs Registry. Under the program, officials create profiles for registrants within the 911 system that contain details provided by family members about some of the challenges their loved ones face to help first responders and law enforcement provide needed assistance in an emergency.
DeGenova is a member of the Mahoning County Bar, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys, National District Attorneys and Ohio Township associations.
A 2024 ATHENA award nominee, some of her other affiliations include membership in the Youngstown Lions Club and Youngstown Business & Professional Women, where she also serves as the club’s vice president. In addition, she is an advisory board member at Sojourner House.
While she continues to be active in the community, DeGenova said most of her time remains devoted to her job as prosecutor.
In 2023 and again this year, her office partnered with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office to produce a senior safety and wellness calendar that features tips on crime prevention and lists area contacts for senior service providers.
“The calendars are available free of charge to area residents either by mail or at area senior centers and nursing homes,” said DeGenova.
The sheriff and DeGenova are also joining forces to bring the Blue Envelope Program to Mahoning County.
The program utilizes specially designed Blue Envelopes, which serve as communication tools for law enforcement during traffic stops that involve people with disorders like autism.
The envelopes hold key documents like an individual’s license and registration, with the exteriors listing the person’s special needs to help officers tailor their interactions with the driver.
The program is also available to family members who frequently transport loved ones with such conditions.
“The driver, either a family member or an individual with a disability, hands the envelope to the officer when they are stopped so as to explain any accommodations they might need,” said DeGenova.
The program is set to launch this summer.
Last February, officials adopted and began training the office’s first-ever certified comfort therapy dog.
The two-year old rescue Golden Retriever named Hope recently passed her Canine Good Citizen test, bringing her one step closer to becoming an official comfort therapy dog, said DeGenova.
Hope is being trained by Jenny Falvey, who owns Dogsmartz Unleashed at no cost.
“She will be available to comfort victims and witnesses of crimes who are experiencing trauma and grief as a result,” said DeGenova. “We received numerous donations from our community partners so there is very little cost to taxpayers.”
One of the programs DeGenova said she’s most proud of is S.T.O.P. (Self-Defense Trauma Informed Outreach Program).
Begun at the end of September 2023, S.T.O.P. offers courses around the county that teach self-defense techniques and raise awareness about how to recognize potentially dangerous situations.
The classes, which seek to create a safe trauma-informed environment, also educate people on Ohio’s self-defense laws and the services that are available should any of the participants be assaulted.
“Our goal is to empower participants in a supportive and encouraging environment while providing instruction on the many resources available if they or someone they love is harmed by a violent incident in and outside the home,” said DeGenova.
“We’ve held five self-defense classes so far and we plan to continue to offer them four to five times a year in different communities around the county. We also are in the planning stages of adapting the classes for children and hope to offer a second level class for past participants,” she said.
At the beginning of the year, the office began its Special Victims Unit (SVU), which DeGenova said is devoted to helping vulnerable groups in the community.
“The SVU vertical prosecution unit handles crimes against women, children, the elderly, those with developmental disabilities and animals.
“We also partner with community organizations like Children Services, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, COMPASS Family and Community Services, Direction Home, Animal Charity and Adult Protective Services, to ensure residents have information on the resources that are available to them,” she said.
DeGenova said the office continues to offer training and crime prevention presentations to community groups and law enforcement agencies on a variety of topics including fraud and scams, victim rights, human trafficking, social media hazards for juveniles as well as other issues.
Another goal of DeGenova’s is to educate the public about the many different functions of the prosecutor’s office and the multifaceted duties that her position entails.
Toward that end, this year DeGenova is holding town halls throughout the county.
“I find that many people do not understand the full function and responsibility of the county prosecutor,” she said.
“A large part of my role is managerial,” said DeGenova. “I oversee a nearly $6 million budget and supervise 69 employees, including 37 lawyers.
“I work daily with the criminal division and have prosecuted several cases this year. I also personally review and object to at least a dozen parole hearings each year.
“As the prosecutor, I also work with our civil division which serves essentially as in-house counsel to Mahoning County elected officials, boards, the 14 townships and other county entities like the county health department,” she said.
Since taking over, DeGenova said she has reduced the budget, opting not to fill open positions, reallocating the duties to existing staff instead.
“One of the jobs I did not replace was my own,” she said. “We previously had two chief assistant prosecutors. Now we have one. I have absorbed my former duties. I also chose not to hire an administrative assistant for my position.
“I’m very proud that since December 2023 I’ve returned nearly $230,000 to the justice fund and reduced this year’s budget request by over $160,000,” said DeGenova.
“We have a phenomenal team and I’m proud to work with each one of them every day.
“We’re poised to do more amazing things if given the opportunity by voters in November.”