Former Warren Council President pleads not guilty to felony
Warren Police have withdrawn an arrest warrant for former City Council President Robert Marchese after he appeared in municipal court on Thursday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of misusing a credit card.
According to a police report, the Fifth Third Bank of Cincinnati reported on Tuesday that Marchese opened a credit card account in the name of his deceased wife and made several purchases with the card.
His wife, Claranne Marchese passed away in March 2013.
Bank officials report that the alleged crime occurred between November 2013 and February 2014.
Reached by 21 News, Marchese said the last couple of years since the death of his wife have been a blur. "I do not remember opening an account after her death. Whatever has to be done to care of it, I will do," said Marchese.
Marchese is scheduled to appear for a preliminary court hearing on Tuesday. He remains free on his own recognizance.