CLEVELAND, Ohio - Valley attorney Martin Yavorcik wants to dismiss his lawyers and defend himself against allegations that he and two elected officials tried to cover up an alleged conspiracy to keep Mahoning County from moving some offices out of property owned by a local businessman.

Attorneys Jennifer Scott and William Summers have each filed motions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas court asking Judge Janet Burnside to grant them permission to withdraw as counsel for Yavorcik.

According to the motion, Yavorcik wants to represent himself, and has consented to the withdrawal of Scott and Summers. The motion also states that their withdrawal can be accomplished without having an adverse effect on the interests of Yavorcik.

Yavorcik, along with Youngstown Mayor John McNally and Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino, face 83 charges alleging that they took part in a criminal enterprise in connection with the investigation into the purchase of the Oakhill Renaissance Place.

The motions did not give a reason why attorney Yavorcik wishes to take over his own defense.

Although he was not a lawyer, former Mahoning County Sheriff Jim Traficant enhanced his reputation in 1983 by successfully defending himself against allegations of racketeering and accepting bribes.

However, when Traficant defended himself against federal corruption charges nearly 20 years later, he was convicted and sent to prison.

Yavorcik, who has an office in Poland, is an experienced criminal law attorney who has been in practice since 1999.