Three years in prison, $29,000 restitution for gifts to former auditor Frank Russo

CLEVELAND - A Westlake man was ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution for his part in the Cuyahoga County corruption probe.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Daniel Weaver, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Weaver was the director of the Information Services Center in Cuyahoga County and would frequently give former county auditor Frank Russo money. Russo pleaded guilty in September to 21 counts of bribery and corruption. He faces up to 22 years in prison, but could see a reduced sentence for his testimony against others involved, including the man at the top of the scandal, former commissioner Jimmy Dimora.

According to court documents, “Russo would perform official acts for the benefit of Weaver.” Russo did not give anything of value to Weaver, authorities said.

Between 2005 and 2008, Weaver gave Russo birthday and Christmas gifts in the form of $50 ties and $100 gift cards, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. He gave Russo $1,000 or $2,000 on multiple occasions and the Department of Justice even said Russo would call, asking for Weaver’s credit card number when he was out to dinner.

Weaver even bought Christmas gifts for Russo’s children and grandchildren, including iPods and Xbox game systems. He also paid for a tiki bar that costs $600 for the former auditor. All of the items totaled around $29,000.