Whenever one of the Mahoning Valley's white-collar criminals returns to the area after serving time behind prison bars, this question comes to mind: Has he no shame? The answer: Obviously not. There have been sightings of our infamous crooks in banquet halls and department stores and even houses of worship. And lest law-abiding citizens think that state or federal prison has been a humbling experience for them, think again.
Former Mahoning County Sheriff Phil "Bribe me and I'll look the other way, Mr. Mob Boss Strollo" Chance, former county Prosecutor James "I'll sell justice for so many pieces of gold" Philomena, former Youngstown Municipal Court judges Patrick Kerrigan and Andrew Polovischak — "We have deep pockets under our black robes" — and former hotshot medical malpractice lawyer Richard "I love knocking paraplegics out of their wheelchairs" Goldberg, among others, haven't crawled into spidey holes. Nor have they taken to wearing paper bags over their heads because they're too ashamed to show their faces in public.
Indeed, at least one of member of this ever-growing fraternity of criminals seems to have quickly reverted to his flamboyant lifestyle. Guess who?
No, it isn't Michael I. Monus, once the Valley's king of business, professional sports magnate and a connoisseur of palatial living. The Monus of today is a jailbird in the tradition of Ivan Boeske and Michael Milkin. He went to federal prison in January 1996 and last week was sent to a halfway facility where he will reside until his sentence is over Dec. 19. After that, Monus will serve five years' supervised release.
'Thanks, Mickey'
But here's the kicker that should prompt every honest Valley resident to say, "Thanks Mickey": He has left this area and is living in West Palm Beach, Fla. Monus' wife, the former Mary Ciferno of Canfield, established residence in West Palm in January.
Why express our appreciation? Because the man who built the Youngstown-based Phar-Mor deep discount pharmacy chain into a national leader and then perpetrated a nearly $1 billion fraud and embezzlement scheme that resulted in his being found guilty in federal court of 109 counts had the decency not to return to the Valley.
He was initially sentenced to 235 months in prison and five years' supervised release. He also was ordered to pay a $1 million fine. In October 1997, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld Monus' conviction but set aside his sentence. The case was sent back to the trial court. In February 1999, after a jury tampering charge was dismissed, the prominent area businessman was re-sentenced to 139 months in prison and five years' supervised release. His fine was cut to $500,000.
Last week came the news that the 57-year-old jailbird had been sent to a halfway house run by the Salvation Army. The facility is located on North Military Trail. By the way, if there are any Valley residents who have moved to West Palm Beach and remember with fondness the Youngstown Pride of the World Basketball League playing in Beeghly Center, or the many professional female golf players who competed in the Phar-Mor Golf Classic, or the renovation of the former Strouss-Kaufmann department store in downtown Youngstown into the Phar-Mor Centre, Mickey could use your help. And for baseball fans, don't forget his co-ownership in the Colorado Rockies when it first entered the major leagues.
As part of his release from prison, he must get a full-time job. With it, he can earn weekend passes. He also will be allowed to have visitors.
Valley's reputation
On the other hand, if you're one of those 1,300 or so Phar-Mor employees who lost their jobs when the chain, which at one time consisted of 300 stores nationwide, collapsed, you're probably not inclined to show Monus any kindness. That's understandable, considering what he and his criminal fraternity brothers have done to the reputation of the Mahoning Valley.
These weren't individuals who had fallen on hard times or were born to poverty who broke the law in an act of desperation. They were living life in the fast lane, with greed as their only god. The rules of society did not apply to them. They were the kings of the hill.
If they had to lie, cheat or steal to maintain their extravagant lifestyles, they did so.
These white-collar criminals were worse than street thugs because they were assured a comfortable life had they simply walked the straight and narrow.