BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – One newly-elected official in Belmont County wants the individual who allegedly destroyed his campaign signs held accountable.
Vince Gianangeli, the newly-elected Republican Belmont County Commissioner, spoke with River News Network about a troubling vandalism spree that resulted in the destruction of multiple political signs.
Gianangeli says that on the night of Oct. 12, a male reportedly driving a dark-colored Tesla allegedly destroyed eight of Gianangeli’s campaign signs across four different locations in Belmont County.
Gianangeli says the alleged vandal was captured on surveillance camera in Bellaire near Belmont Savings Bank and a warehouse. The male allegedly destroyed signs at that location in Bellaire as well as at the bottom of I-470 and Route 7, beneath the Route 7 underpass in Bridgeport and finally, near North 5th Street in Martins Ferry.
Gianangeli says he spoke with Bellaire Police Chief JJ Watson about the alleged incidents. It is Gianangeli’s understanding that the individual confessed to police that he destroyed the signs. Watson also told River News Network that a person admitted to damaging or destroying the signs.
River News Network spoke with Watson about the incident and he referred us to Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan. We made a public records request to the prosecutor’s office on Nov. 8. In a letter dated Nov. 8, Flanagan states that records concerning the incident are exempt from a public records request due to the Confidential Law Enforcement Regulatory Records exemption and have a “high probability of revealing the identity of an uncharged suspect.” Flanagan added that he would revisit our request if charges are filed, or, if there is a decision not to file charges.
Gianangeli says he has been on the ballot in Belmont County eight times over the years and has won six elections. He says election signs are costly and anyone who vandalizes them should be held accountable. Gianangeli says he knows the name of the individual who allegedly destroyed his campaign signs, but does not want to release the person’s name.
It’s not smart to destroy election signs. The individual is an adult who should be held responsible. I don’t want to release the name of the individual involved, but he is a male resident of Belmont County.
Vince Gianangeli (R) newly-elected Belmont County Commissioner
Although Gianangeli wants the person responsible for the destruction of his political signs held accountable, he hopes for redemption for that person.
I think everyone deserves a second chance.
Vince Gianangeli (R) newly-elected Belmont County Commissioner
The Belmont County Democratic Party also reported campaign signs stolen in October.
