Former state parole officer sentenced

A 53-year-old former state parole officer was sentenced to three years in prison March 5 after pleading guilty to multiple charges connected to a drug dealing scheme.

As part of the agreed sentence, Michael A. Hoover is not eligible for early or judicial release and must serve the entire three years on charges of corrupting another with drugs, intimidation and bribery.

Hoover pleaded guilty Jan. 29.

Due to his work as a parole officer, Hoover will serve his time at the Columbus Receiving Center, according to Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge John R. Miraldi.

Before the sentence was announced, Debby Tong, the mother of Dominique Rogowski, who died of an overdose after Hoover introduced her to drugs, described her daughter’s slide into drug abuse.

Tong said Rogowski met Hoover through her work and had trusted him to the point of traveling with him.

She said her daughter’s diagnosis of colitis was the opening Hoover used to corrupt her Rogowski.

“He used his power and his authority to obtain painkillers and opiates from his parolees; those he was put in charge of; those he was supposed to watch over,” Tong said. “He started by lacing her food and drinks with them and when she found out what was happening, she tried to break away.”

According to Tong, Hoover raped, threatened and abused her daughter for four years.

“I have seen evil, and his name is Michael Hoover,” she said.

Dominique Rogowski’s husband, Nick Rogowski, also addressed the court.

Nick Rogowski spoke about how Hoover drove a wedge between him and his wife.

He said his wife’s drug use came to a head when he came home and found her with a needle in her arm.

“She begged me not to tell anybody; she begged me to just help her,” Nick Rogowski said. “It was something I have never went through in my whole entire life.

“It was the worst time of my life. It was absolutely terrible.

“This monster completely ruined a young girl’s life, ruined her future, ruined her everything.”

Hoover declined to make a statement.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Michael A. Hoover, of Grafton, led into Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge John R. Miraldi’s courtroom March 5, alongside his attorney Michael J. Duff for sentencing. The 53-year-old former state parole officer was sentenced to three years in...

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Michael A. Hoover, of Grafton, appears alongside attorneys Michael J. Duff, left, and Daniel G. Wightman for sentencing March 5, in front of Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge John R. Miraldi. The 53-year-old former state parole officer was...