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Dawn Cantalamessa
Ashtabula County Prosecutor Colleen O'Toole says she considers former Mahoning County Prosecutor Dawn Cantalamessa "a real find".
Cantalamssa, who resigned her long-time post in Mahoning County last month, has been hired by the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office.
O'Toole, who is a former judge, told 21 News that Cantalamessa applied for the Ashtabula job back in February and has an excellent resume and record as a criminal prosecutor.
Cantalamessa resigned in Mahoning County after being placed on paid administrative leave when a judge disqualified her from acting as a prosecutor during 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 Gutierres 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 Gutierres had named Knight as the shooter in the crime.
Judge Durkin characterized the action as a "careless indifference in ascertaining the truth". Durkin also criticized Cantalamessa for failing to tell the defense about a plea deal offered to Gutierres.
Prosecutor O'Toole said that Cantalamessa is an attorney in good standing and will help solidify her department.