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LISBON -- A new trial date is now set for 9 a.m. Jan. 19 in the case against former East Liverpool City Health District food service inspector Alan Masters, who's accused of allegedly falsifying food inspection reports.
Masters, 64, West Eighth Street, Salem, was accompanied by his hired attorney, Bruce Williams, during a status hearing Monday morning before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton.
Williams requested a continuance of the jury trial that had been set for Nov. 3, saying he just needs a little bit more time. Bickerton granted the request, with no objection from county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech.
A new status hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 11.
Williams indicated while addressing the court that he was meeting with an expert witness and there were some matters to exchange with the state. He said he was hoping they could narrow down the issues and quite possibly resolve the matter.
Masters was indicted in April for 23 counts of tampering with records, a third-degree felony charge. He's out of jail on a bond.
The indictment against Masters alleged that he falsified food inspection reports over a nearly one-year period, with all 23 incidents allegedly occurring from May 31, 2024 through April 25, 2025.
Masters previously worked as the environmental director for the Salem City Health District for several years, resigning Aug. 4, 2025. He was doing some work for the East Liverpool City Health District while still working for the Salem City Health District.
Columbiana County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart previously said that Masters allegedly turned in reports for inspections he never did and at least five were allegedly done before he worked for East Liverpool and no longer works there now. Apparently, he had been suspended at the Salem City Health District prior to resigning. In his letter of resignation, he reportedly wrote that his resignation did not constitute an admission of any wrongdoing. The Salem City Health District Board voted in July 2025 to institute an investigation into an employee's activity, but did not name the employee.