Attorney Dawn Cantalamessa has resigned from her position as Mahoning County Assistant Prosecutor.

Prosecutor Paul Gains told 21 News that Cantalamessa submitted a one-page letter on Monday, making her resignation effective on Tuesday.  Gains said he could make no further comment because of pending litigation concerning Cantalamessa.

The resignation comes just weeks after Gains places Cantalamessa on paid administrative leave when a judge disqualified her from acting as a prosecutor in a murder trial.

Common Pleas Judge John Durkin removed Cantalamessa from prosecuting the case of Lavontae Knight following a complaint by a defense attorney.

Knight, along with George Guiterrez is accused of fatally shooting Joshua Donatelli in 2018.

In his ruling, Judge Durkin found that Cantalamessa made a false statement to the court by denying that Guiterrez had named Knight as the shooter in the crime.

Judge Durkin characterized Cantalamessa's failure in the ruling as a careless indifference in ascertaining the truth.

Durkin also criticized Cantalamessa for failing to tell the defense about a plea deal offered to Guiterrez.

The judge did not dismiss the case against Knight.  Another hearing in the case is scheduled later this month.

21 News reached out to the Mahoning County Bar Association but was told there would be no comment on Cantalamessa's resignation.