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| Youth services chief fired |
| By The Columbus Dispatch |
| Published: 12/06/2004 |
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Gov. Bob Taft fired the longtime director of Ohio's juvenile prisons last week, following months of allegations that the prison system is fraught with sexual abuse and mistreatment of inmates. Geno Natalucci-Persichetti, director of the Department of Youth Services for nearly 18 years, met with the governor's chief of staff and agreed to leave by the end of the year. "The governor's very thankful for Geno's many years of service. But the department is facing new challenges, and the governor believes it's time for new leadership to meet those changes," said Orest Holubec, Taft's spokesman. Taft likely will appoint an interim Youth Services leader while searching for a new director, his spokesman said. Known by everyone simply as "Geno," Natalucci-Persichetti served under three governors - two Republicans, one Democrat - and became a prominent, genial figure in state government. He was appointed in February 1987 to overhaul a department marred by scandal. He is paid $108,000 a year to oversee eight juvenile prisons, 1,200 inmates and a $200 million budget. His popularity carried him through occasional controversies and endeared him even to some critics of Youth Services. But he was unable to regain control after problems surfaced this year, including the system facing allegations of sexual abuse, violent and unqualified employees, and turmoil in management. Natalucci-Persichetti declined to comment. |
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