Mahoning County's next auditor is on the job a few days earlier than expected.

County Commissioners on Thursday passed a resolution appointing Ralph Meacham as interim auditor until his term officially begins on Tuesday.

Meacham is taking over the duties of Mike Sciortino, who was suspended with pay on Monday by a specially appointed three judge panel.

Sciortino was removed from office because he is under indictment for an alleged conspiracy to cover up efforts to stop Mahoning County Commissioners from moving some county offices out of property owned by the Cafaro Company.

Although the process to remove Sciortino from office began months ago, legal delays held up his removal until he had less than two weeks left in office.

Sciortino lost his re-election bid to Meacham in November.