Paul Kostyu: Ex-Canton teacher’s trial delayed again [Guess what this time - she's in FLORIDA]

By Paul Kostyu Canton Repository, January 18, 2006 Columbus The trial of Hazel Sidaway has been rescheduled for Feb. 14 and 15. Background: The former Canton City Schools teacher of 2915 Parkridge Circle NW in Plain Township pleaded innocent on July 8 to seven criminal charges accusing her of violating state ethics codes. The charges, all misdemeanors, stem from September 1998 to June 2003 when she was a member of the board of the State Teachers Retirement System. She is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in meals, drinks, lodging and entertainment from companies that handled the pension fund’s investments. She was offered a plea deal but turned it down. She denies having done anything illegal. This is the sixth time a trial date has been set, often because of conflicts in the prosecutor’s or defense attorney’s schedules. This time, however, Sidaway is on vacation in Florida. What’s next: The nonjury trial before Franklin County Municipal Court Judge W. Dwayne Maynard is expected to take two days, but it could be delayed again because of another potential schedule conflict, according to Columbus City Prosecutor Lara N. Baker.