Russell Trustees Seek Advice From Counsel on ADP Invoice
Russell Township Trustees are seeking guidance from legal counsel after receiving a $5,700 invoice from the Geauga County Automated Data Processing board for services related to a cybersecurity incident involving Russell Township Police Department.
Russell Township Trustees are seeking guidance from legal counsel after receiving a $5,700 invoice from the Geauga County Automated Data Processing board for services related to a cybersecurity incident involving Russell Township Police Department.
“(What) we discussed as a board (Jan. 15) is, we’re just gonna take a look at it with (Assistant Prosecutor Susan Leland),” said Russell Township Trustee Chris Hare in a Jan. 18 interview.
Last fall, two police department machines were compromised by what was believed to be an unknown Russian source.
Police Chief Tom Swaidner previously said he does not believe other municipalities are billed by ADP for their assistance.
“Significant county resources were invested in responding, investigating, managing and attempting to remediate this issue from September 2025 through the present,” said Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder, who also sits on the ADP board, in a letter to trustees. “As the associated costs were incurred solely due to Russell Township’s police department email incident and subsequent lack of fulfilling committed obligations, they should not and cannot be absorbed by the broader county user base or its taxpayers.”
In other business, Swaidner administered the oath of office to detective Adam LaMonica during the Jan. 15 trustees meeting.
The recent passage of a 2.5-mill police levy Nov. 4 enabled the department to pursue hiring a detective.
LaMonica was hired as a full-time police officer by the township in 2018, according to the Sep. 19, 2018, township trustees meeting minutes.
“During his time serving the residents of Russell Township he has demonstrated a commitment to the department’s values, a strong work ethic, friendly personality and a desire to help others,” Swaidner said Jan. 19. “Throughout his time with the department, Detective LaMonica has shown a desire to lead investigations and always strives to help victims of crime while maintaining compassion and a pursuit of justice. Detective LaMonica will be tasked with investigating criminal cases such as fraud, theft, death investigations and other crimes committed in the Township as part of his daily duties.”
Also during the Jan. 15 meeting, Russell Township Fire Chief John Frazier swore in Lt. William Thomas, Lt. Frank Gromowsky, Lt. Jason Grassi and Lt. Jacob Ebright to the fire department.
These promotions were a part of the department’s strategic plan to develop officers from within, Asst. Chief Nick Sambula said Jan. 19.
“The newly promoted lieutenants will now serve in expanded leadership roles supporting department operations and will help guide the membership as we constantly strive to bring the highest level of service to the residents of Russell Township,” Sambula added.
