As speculation continues to mount over a possible dismissal of charges in the Oakhill Renaissance case, it was still business as usual for indicted Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally Thursday.
McNally didn't want to discuss potential reasons why the case might be dropped or how much has been spent thus far prosecuting it.
"I'm going to refer all those questions to the either special prosecutors or prosecutors," said McNally. "Somebody else can tell you what the answer is."
The same was true for other defendants and lawyers in the case; no one wanting to talk publicly, despite reports of a telephone conference call Thursday morning with visiting Judge William Wolff.
Members of the Cafaro family and a number of current and former officer holders are charged with conspiring to keep the county from buying Oakhill back in 2006. At this point, sources say special prosecutors will ask to have the entire 73-count indictment thrown out during a hearing on Monday.
"At this point you're just waiting to see just what actually does happen on Monday," said McNally. "Yeah, I'd like to get through Monday first, and then we'll go from there."
Although no reasons have been given for the dismissal request, numerous complaints have been filed claiming misconduct involving prosecutor Paul Gains and his staff.
There are also reports special prosecutors assigned to the case are having trouble obtaining evidence collected by the FBI for another investigation that could have ties to Oakhill giving way to further speculation the local matter could be turned over to federal authorities to pursue.
Still, some admit they're glad to see the case going away, if that happens, questioning whether any crimes were ever committed.
"It's freedom of speech," said Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Righetti. "It's an opinion that others have had. I have my opinions in the position that I am in, and I hold no bones on what I feel."
For now, we'll have to wait to see what Monday's hearing brings.
