YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair David Betras says that Youngstown Mayor John McNally should resign, following his plea to four charges in a public corruption case.

Betras released a statement Friday afternoon, just hours after McNally and former Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges associated with their efforts to keep the Mahoning County Commissioners from moving some county offices out of a building owned by the Cafaro Company, and into the Oakhill Renaissance Place.

Statement from David Betras:

As I have said from the beginning, I believed Mayor McNally had the right to remain in office pending the disposition of the charges filed against him. In light of the fact that he today pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors related directly to his official duties as an elected officials, I believe he should resign. At the very least, I believe he should not seek reelection when his term expires. If he does not the voters will have their say when it comes time for his reelection.

I would note for the record that it would not be unprecedented for an elected official to remain in office after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges. Governor Robert Taft, who pleaded no contest to and was subsequently convicted of four misdemeanors related to his failure to disclose that he accepted 52 gifts from lobbyists, chose not to resign and remained in office for the remainder of his term.

While that precedent does exist, it is my hope that Mayor McNally resign.

But I know the decision is ultimately his because he is not obligated to resign.

End of statement.

The conviction on four misdemeanors will not disqualify McNally from holding office, according to Youngstown Law Director Martin Hume.

The Mayor told 21 News he intends to remain in office, and even run for reelection.

McNally and Sciortino will be sentenced on March 28.

The third defendant, Youngstown attorney Martin Yavorcik, is scheduled to go on trial March 14.