Dimora, family members may speak out during Monday's sentencing hearing on federal corruption charge

AKRON, Ohio - Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, along with his wife and children, may speak out during his sentencing hearing on federal corruption charges.

Dimora could face more than 22 years in federal prison on racketeering and corruption charges when he's sentenced in U.S. District Court in Akron Monday morning.

Legal observers say it would not be unusual for Dimora, his wife and children to request and be granted an opportunity to address the court and plead for leniency in the case.

U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi has received more than 40 letters from Dimora's relatives and friends stressing the good they believe Dimora has done in his career and asking that his positive accomplishments be considered when imposing a prison term.

The sentencing hearing itself will allow government prosecutors to make their case as to the appropriate length of time Dimora should serve in prison.

Dimora's defense attorney will also be permitted to address the court on his belief that Dimora does not deserve a lengthy sentence--based on what he calls Dimora's "serioius and life-threatening" health issues, lack of criminal background and sentences handed down in similar corruption cases.

In addition, Dimora's attorneys are free to submit any last minute objections, briefs or legal challenges that could require considerable oral arguments or deliberation by Judge Lioi.

Meanwhile, Judge Lioi has issued a detailed court order to ensure that the hearing is conducted "in a decorous manner" to ensure a fair hearing.

The first row of gallery seats on the right side of the courtroom, facing the bench, will be reserved for Dimora's family members.

The second row of gallery seats, directly behind, will be reserved for credential news media -- one member per news organization unless there are unoccupied seats.

No electric communication devices or data entry devices, such as laptops and cellphones, will be permitted.

Approximately 14 lockboxes will be available outside the courtroom.

Since seating inside the Akron courtroom is limited due to space, public overflow rooms have been created to accommodate larger crowds.

Among the provisions included in the court order, is the creation of two separate viewing rooms, in both Akron and Cleveland,  for the general public to watch the proceedings on a closed-circuit , live, television feed.

The public overflow sites will be located in Room B3-52 in the Akron Courthouse and the gallery room 17A in the Carl B. Stokes Federal Court House in Cleveland.

No electronic communications or data entry devices such as cellular phones and laptop computers will be permitted in the public overflow sites.

Approximately seven lockboxes will be available outside the Akron Courthouse public overflow site for cellular telephone storage.

A courtroom security officer will be present to ensure compliance.