Day eight of the public corruption trial of Ralph Infante produced damaging testimony against the former mayor from a former Niles city employee.

The testimony came from Scott Schaffer, a former water department worker. He told the court that he had offered the mayor $1,800 to get a job with the city, but said Infante told him that was a little low. Schaffer said he raised his offer to $2,500 and the mayor said OK.

Schaffer went on to testify that he also paid Infante $3,000 for a job for his girlfriend, and later got her a promotion by purchasing a television and an air conditioner for Infante's ITAM Club in Girard.

Schaffer was also facing charges of theft in office before he agreed to become a cooperating witness and turned state evidence. Schaffer said when he got worried about the investigation, and possibly being convicted, he went to Infante, and the mayor allegedly told him, "Don't worry about it. I own the judges in this town. They ain't got a thing. It will go away," Schaffer testified. 

Also taking the stand on Wednesday was Chris Rudy an investigator with the Ohio Auditors Office.  He identified numerous prosecution exhibits of alleged gambling evidence collected by search warrants from Infante's home and the ITAM Club. 

Rudy is the last prosecution witness and is expected to conclude his testimony on Thursday.  Infante is facing a total of 41 charges, including bribery, theft in office and gambling. 

His wife Judith was also facing trial with her husband until she accepted a plea agreement.