"Guilty," that's what the jury said Friday on all but one of the 34 federal charges against Jimmy Dimora, once the most powerful man in Cuyahoga County. The convictions are for racketeering, conspiracy and other corruption while in office as a county commissioner, including accepting cash, home remodeling, meals, sexual favors and other bribes in exchange for services and influence. Dimora was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs. The judge decided not to release him pending sentencing or possible appeal. Prosecutors asked for immediate imprisonment, saying Dimora was a flight risk given the sentence he might get which could be several decades behind bars.
Reacting to the news, County Executive Ed FitzGerald called it "a just verdict."