FBI Raids Cuyahoga County Headquarters

Read an updated version of the story here.

The Cleveland FBI has confirmed to ideastream that agents arrived at Cuyahoga County headquarters late Thursday morning as part of a joint investigation with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.

Agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were also present.

Two weeks ago, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley handed the corruption investigation off to Yost’s office, citing conflict of interest concerns after the county and individuals including executive Armond Budish were sued over conditions at the county jail. A U.S. Marshals Service report has called conditions there “inhumane.”

A spokesperson for the Ohio Attorney General’s office says, “We cannot provide information about a continuing investigation.” County Spokesperson Mary Louise Madigan says Budish was in the office when agents arrived, but left the office later. 

On February 7, a county grand jury issued a subpoena for all phone records from former jail administrator Ken Mills and emails from five county employees, including Budish. Those records were due to be delivered to the Justice Center the morning of February 14.

Last month, one current and two former Cuyahoga County employees, including Mills, were indictedon charges related to withholding information or making false statements regarding improper payments, telecommunications fraud, and tampering with records. All three have pleaded not guilty.

Sources tell ideastream no arrests are expected on Thursday and agents are seeking files or documents related to the current investigation.

This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Budish was in the office when agents first arrived.