A quarter century legacy as Mahoning County Prosecutor ended Wednesday for Paul Gains as his interim replacement took the oath of office.

As Gains began his retirement, acting prosecutor Gina DeGenova was sworn-in by Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Anthony D’Apolito during a morning ceremony at the courthouse.

Gains, 71, announced earlier this month that he would be retiring from the job he has held since his election in 1996.

Before beginning his position as Mahoning County Prosecutor, Democrat Gains served as a Youngstown Police Officer and after completing law school and passing the bar became a defense attorney.

On Christmas Eve in 1996, Gains was shot in his home by an intruder working for the mob who wanted to keep Gains from taking office. Gains said he was targeted because of his refusal to fix cases.

Local Democratic Party leaders will name someone to fill Gains’ unexpired term.