Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora pleaded not guilty to corruption related charges just hours after being led from his home in handcuffs early Wednesday morning. Two Common Pleas Court Judges and five others were also arrested in the massive county corruption probe. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.
In late July 2008, 150 federal agents fanned across Cleveland with subpoenas, raiding County buildings, businesses, homes and offices for documents. It was the first public indication that federal prosecutors were looking for evidence of corruption, specifically pay to play schemes at the highest levels of county government. Among the people targeted in the raids was Commissioner and then-head of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Jimmy Dimora. Shortly after the raid, Dimora pledged his innocence.
Jimmy Dimora: I am absolutely confident that when the dust clears that my good name and reputation will also be cleared. But for now, this investigation is in the hands of the federal government.
In the 26 months that followed, that investigation touched nearly 70 public officials, business people and civil servants, though just over half of those have been formally charged. So far, 31 have pleaded guilty. A former Maple Heights school board member has admitted to delivering bribes to Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo, even once handing over a $1000 tucked into a pack of cigarettes. One of the most outrageous stories involves contractor Ferris Kleem who was angling for millions of dollars in county business. Kleem is said to have paid for a prostitute for Dimora on a trip he took with Russo to Las Vegas.
"Don't say anything," court documents show Russo telling a friend. "He's going to have whores, and he's got a tiki hut by the pool. He's got everything."
Dimora and his attorney have repeatedly said he only had a massage during the trip. Russo pleaded guilty to bribery and mail fraud charges last week.
Through out the investigation, Jimmy Dimora has been identified only as 'Public Official Number One' in court documents. That is until Wednesday when federal prosecutors unleashed a 26-count indictment against him. Dimora pleaded not guilty and was released on $50,000 bail under the condition that he take a leave of absence. On the courthouse steps, Dimora told reporters he intended to fight the charges and had no intention of stepping down from his post.
Jimmy Dimora: It's a beautiful day in Cleveland Ohio. The sun is shining and I'm looking forward to finishing out my term as county commissioner.
County Administrator James McCafferty says his office is working with the court and Dimora's attorneys to figure out exactly what the ordered leave of absence means.
In a press conference, one of the other two commissioners that serves with Dimora, Commissioner Tim Hagan, says he believes the arrests are the probe's grand finale.
Tim Hagan: This county local nightmare is coming to an end and all of us are saddened for the people of county and happy its coming to an end.
Two County Common Pleas Court Judges were also arrested and charged with helping Dimora and Russo with favors in their courtrooms. Both have pleaded not guilty. McCafferty says she will continue running for reelection in November.
Judge Bridget McCafferty: My behavior is no way intertwined with this investigation. Clearly I was surprised because I know I haven't engaged in any wrong doing.
Mike Unger, the head of the Cleveland Bar Association says state rules dictate that the two judges step down.
Mike Ungar: It makes clear that justice or judge, two judges in this case, is automatically disqualified from acting as a judge when there is a pending indict or information with a crime punishable as a felony.
In a statement, Nancy Fuerst, the Presiding and Administrative Judge of the County Common Pleas court said her office is working with the Ohio State Supreme Court to figure out how to proceed.
The corruption probe continues today: Auditor Frank Russo is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon.