History of Cuyahoga County corruption probe

CLEVELAND - The charges against County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and against Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo have produced the most significant development in the two-year corruption probe into county government. They come after a federal probe of the county government that targeted its most powerful leaders.

It all began on July 28, 2008.

At first, court records identified the top offenders only as Public Officials 1 and 2. But as the investigation continued, both Russo and Dimora admitted they were the targets, while at the same time insisting they were innocent.

In July, 2008, scores of FBI agents raided both county offices and homes of Dimora and Russo. Boxes of documents were retrieved from both locations. And for months, federal agents and prosecutors poured over the contents.

Dimora was the first to proclaim his innocence.

"I would never do anything to hurt our great county and the great people who live in Cuyahoga County," said Dimora, within days of the initial raid. "This has been one of themost difficult and stressful times in my life-- for me personally and for my family."

The raid began the largest and most widespread public corruption probe in Ohio history.

Russo was also targeted from the very beginning.

"The search warrant served upon my office and my home yesterday was a complete suprise to me," said Russo, referring to the July 2008 raid.

And like Dimora, Russo emerged within days of the raids insisting he too did nothing wrong.

"I've done nothing to warrant the search," said Russo.

Prosecutors and FBI agents spent the following year pouring over evidence. And in July 2009, the first five defendants pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy.

These included J. Kevin Kelley, who a top administrator in the county engineer's office, as well as a former Parma School Board member. Daniel Gallagher was another county worker who admitted taking bribes.

"He embarrased and I advised him not to speak," said Gallagher's attorney, James Jenkins. "In essence, he acted as the bag man-- a minor role. Hopefully the judge agrees with that at the time of sentencing."

And Brian Schuman, who ran a halfway house that got a lucrative county contract also pleaded guilty to bribery.

"I have no comment as well, thank you everybody," Schuman told reporters, as he left the federal courthouse.

Two weeks later, Cleveland business owners Steven Pumper pleaded guilty to more bribery charges. Prosecutors said his company performed thousands of dollars in home improvements at Dimora's home in exchange for county business. Pumper's attorney confirmed a plea deal.

"Well, he has agreed to cooperate with the government and to testify truthfully if called up to do so," said defense attorney Niki Schwartz.

All of those pleas came in the summer of 2009 and it was beginning to get to Dimora.

"I think the federal goverment is doing a detailed and thorough investigation of me," proclaimed Dimora, as he blamed the Republicans and the media for his problems.

"Dimora is easy, chairman of the party, it'll be an easy conflict. Dimora is a loudmouth," he said mocking investigators. "He has no college education. He's overweight. He has Italian heritage in him."

"You get my drift."

All the while, Dimora refused to step down.

"I haven't done aything wrong. I am innocent and that's why I sit up here and vote. I am not resigning. I'm going to do my job that I was elected to do until the end of 2010."

As summer turned to fall in late 2009, another five defendants pleaded guilty.

And soon, it was Russo's office that was in the spotlight.

In October 2009, Sandy Klimkowksi-- a former top ranking administrator for Russo-- left the federal courthouse admitting she funneled more than $1 million in kickbacks to Russo.

"There's stress, but it's the stress that I have caused others and my family that I am more concerned about right now," Klimkowski told reporters.

"We're not asking anyone to pin medals on her," said defense attorney Pat D'Angelo.

"She realizes that what she did was wrong, she' s sorry for it, she can't take it back and all she can do is try to make things right."

By the end of 2009, 14 defendants had pled guilty to bribery and conspiracy, including former Lakewood Mayor Anthony Sinagra.

John Valentin, 62, who prosecutors said did $8,000 worth of free work at Dimora's home--also pleaded guilty.

But by the spring of 2010, explosive allegations leveled involving Dimora and a Las Vegas hooker.

"No, it's totally ridiculous," said Dimora, denying that a prostitute was provided to him by businessmen hoping to get lucrative county contracts.

And throughout the entire investigation, Dimora continued to maintain his innocense.

"I'm no angel-- but I'm not a crook."