Cuyahoga County corruption probe: Michael Forlani

CLEVELAND - Electrical contractor Michael Forlani is former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora’s codefendant is the second indictment, which was unsealed in October 2011.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, this indictment focuses on the racketeering conspiracy involving Forlani’s business. The first indictment is related to Dimora’s racketeering in Cuyahoga County. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi denied Dimora’s request to consolidate the Forlani case with the Michael Gabor case.

Forlani is the former president of Doan Pyramid, a large electrical contracting firm.

According to the indictment, Forlani bribed Dimora and others with gifts, meals, money and free home improvements in return for help landing contracting work on public projects. Doan Pyramid won electrical contracts to provide work at the new Juvenile Justice Center and the Louis Stokes VA Hospital.

Federal prosecutors said Forlani also bribed former Cleveland City Councilwoman Sabra Priece Scott. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.