NCJ Number
68484
Journal
Police Magazine Dated: (JULY 1980) Pages: 36-43
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES AN ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED INVESTIGATION OF CRIME AND CORRUPTION IN HANCOCK COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, CONDUCTED BY SHERIFF RON DONELL, WHICH RESULTED IN 19 CONVICTIONS.
Abstract
USING HIDDEN MICROPHONES AND TAPE RECORDERS, THE SHERIFF ACCUMULATED EVIDENCE LEADING TO THE INDICTMENT IN FEBRUARY 1979 OF 25 LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, ATTORNEYS, AND PUBLIC OFFICEHOLDERS, INCLUDING 2 REPUTED MOBSTERS AND THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR. THE SHERIFF BEGAN HIS UNDERCOVER WORK IN AUGUST 1977. BECAUSE HIS TAPES INDICATED THAT AN ALLEGED RACKETEER, SILVIO PINCIARO, WAS INVOLVED IN INTERSTATE RACKETEERING, THE FBI BECAME INVOLVED IN OCTOBER OF THAT YEAR. IN JANUARY, ONE OF THE PROBE'S MAIN TARGETS, JO-JO PECORA, THE OWNER OF A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR NIGHTCLUB SEVERAL MILES NORTH OF WEIRTON, W. VA., WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE AND REVEALED HIS CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL GAMBLING INDUSTRY. LATER THAT MONTH, MORE THAN 75 FBI AGENTS AND STATE TROOPERS RAIDED SEVERAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS, CONFISCATING BETTING PARAPHERNALIA AND $17,000 IN CASH . A FEW DAYS LATER, A FEDERAL GRAND JURY WAS CONVENED IN ELKINS, W. VA., 150 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WEIRTON, TO HEAR EVIDENCE. EARLY IN FEBRUARY, THE GRAND JURY HANDED UP INDICTMENTS OF 25 PERSONS, INCLUDING FORMER COUNTY PROSECUTOR ROBERT ALTOMORE AND HIS DEPUTY. MOST OF THE OTHERS INVOLVED WERE CHARGED WITH BRIBERY, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, OR VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL RACKETEERING LAW. PUBLIC REACTION RANGED FROM DEATH THREATS TO OSTRACISM. THE SHERIFF, HOWEVER, DECIDED TO RUN FOR REELECTION IN THE BELIEF THAT NOT ALL OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ACCEPTED AND CONDONED CORRUPTION. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROVIDED. (AOP)