Anthony Capretta files defamation suit against opponent Mike Kovack

MEDINA — Republican candidate for Medina County auditor Anthony Capretta filed a lawsuit in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday against his opponent, Mike Kovack, claiming Kovack made defamatory statements against him. Kovack and members of the organization Friends of Mike Kovack were named in the lawsuit. The complaint alleges that a piece of literature sent out by the Friends of Mike Kovack claims Capretta is a "political crony and is associated with organized crime" because he worked under former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo. "I make no mention of organized crime," Kovack told The Gazette on Thursday after the lawsuit was filed. "I don't know where he pulled that from." The complaint also points to the words "corrupt" and "strong arm" and the phrase "lining his pockets" on the flyer and claims these statements are false and defamatory against Capretta. The complaint also claims that the flyer insinuates that Capretta is associated with criminal activity, taking bribes and using force to gain something. The lawsuit alleges Capretta has suffered damage to his reputation because of these statements. "I want to clear my name, and I just want the real truth to be told," Capretta said Thursday. Kovack said the statements on the flyer come from articles from the Plain Dealer and are not anything he has said personally. For instance, he points to an article from 2008 from the Plain Dealer titled "Auditor Frank Russo's links to workers' comp firm investigated" to back up the claim on the flyer that "Tony Capretta made threats against former Medina County Commissioner Sharon Ray when she refused to line his pockets with more money." In the article, Ray said Capretta made threats after the county turned down a bid from 1-888-Ohiocomp. Kovack also said he believes the other statement on the flyer to be true that "Tony Capretta worked for the most corrupt county auditor in the history of Ohio," in reference to Russo. "I want to be completely open and frank," Kovack said in a statement. "My opponent has a history of filing frivolous lawsuits to intimidate those who are critical of him. And I'm sure, if he even pursues it, he'll lose this one like the others. That's because the facts are stubborn things." When asked about the timing of the lawsuit being close to the election, Capretta said he is just reacting quickly to the statements put out against him. "I'm responding immediately to what my opponent did to me," he said. "It's not about timing, I'm just responding." Kovack is required to serve an answer to the complaint to Capretta's attorney within 28 days. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.