Cleveland businessman Michael Forlani has been sentenced to …
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Posted: 01/27/2012
AKRON, Ohio - A Beanie Wells jersey, discussion of a day-trip to Atlantic City on a private jet, Crown Royal on the rocks, county bids on projects worth millions, poker parties and more. It all came up in the federal trial of former Cuyahoga County Commssioner Jimmy Dimora Friday.
Prosecutors said Dimora bought the Wells jersey at an auction for Cornerstone of Hope in 2008 for $3,600. His wife Lori put it on her charge card. The jury saw a picture of the jersey, which was framed in Dimora's house. The FBI took the picture when agents raided Dimora's home.
On a wiretap with Michael Forlani , of Doan Pyramid Electric, Dimora joked about the purchase.
Several weeks after the auction, William Neiheiser, formerly part-owner of Reliance Mechanical, wrote a check for $3,600 to Lori Dimora.
During this time, Neiheiser subitted a bid for construction work at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice
Center. He lost the bid for HVAC work because his bid was about $2 million higher than the lowest bid.
Dimora's defense team pointed out to the jury that the former commissioner did not vote for Neiheiser's bid. Dimora voted for the lowest bid, which was not made by Reliance Mechanical.
But Neiheiser was also working on other projects ideas in the county, including the Winterhurst Ice Rink, now called Serpentini Arena.
Dimora called former Lakewood mayor Ed FitzGerald, and told him he had a friend with a proposal for the rink. That friend was Neiheiser. Apparently, FitzGerald had not returned Neiheiser's calls.
FitzGerald told Dimora to have Neiheiser bring his proposal to the office. Neiheiser did seal the deal with Lakewood, and today Serpentini Arena is run by Iceland USA, an limited liability company with investors in addition to Neiheiser.
FitzGerald, who is now county executive, was not charged.
Defense attorneys pointed out Dimora made the call to FitzGerald as Neiheiser sat right next to him. Dimora's attorneys pointed out that means they were friends. The defense is trying to convince the jury the jersey was a gift, and not something of value received in exchange for influence on official county business.
Prosecutors also played wiretaps of Dimora, Russo and others, considering an offer by Neiheiser to fly them and others by private jet to Atlantic City for a day trip.
Dimora and co-defendant Michael Gabor both say the are innocent of all charges.
Court proceedings resume Monday at 8:30 a.m.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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