Youngstown Film Commission sues city, mayor, state office, alleging interference
The Youngstown Regional Film Commission and its founder, Frederick D'Amico, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Youngstown, Mayor Jamel Tito Brown, the Ohio Film Office, and the newly formed Youngstown Film Office, alleging interference with business relationships and coercion/extortion.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Youngstown, alleges that city officials, including Mayor Brown, and the state film office conspired to undermine the commission's work and divert film industry business to the city's own film office.
D'Amico, who established the Youngstown Regional Film Commission in 2015, alleges that the city created its film office years later and, with the cooperation of the Ohio Film Office, effectively shut out his organization. The lawsuit claims that city representatives told the state film office that the city did not support D'Amico's commission, leading to its removal from the state film office's website.
The lawsuit also alleges that Mayor Brown, in a 2018 meeting with D'Amico, expressed a desire to control the regional film commission's operations, stating, "I'm a selfish mayor...I want my boys in your car...and I want Youngstown driving that car!" D'Amico alleges he was told the city wanted the benefits of the film commission but not a relationship with him.
The complaint states that the city didn’t contribute to the establishment or promotion of the nonprofit Regional Film Commission, which relies on donations.
The suit further alleges that the Ohio Film Office altered its website requirements to mandate that film commissions be supported by local municipalities, a requirement D'Amico says the City of Youngstown refused to meet. The lawsuit claims this change was made following the city’s complaint to the state.
D'Amico claims he has worked for years to build connections with the film industry and promote the Youngstown region as a filming location, citing the area’s historical connection to the film industry, including the Warner Brothers.
The lawsuit seeks damages for alleged economic harm and interference with business relationships.
Defendants listed in the lawsuit include the Youngstown Film Office, the Ohio Film Office, Mayor Jamel Tito Brown, and ten other unnamed individuals. The lawsuit also names former city and state officials.
The city and state film office did not immediately respond to 21 News’ requests for comment.
