Dimora used connections to get connections; FirstEnergy expedited power to Dimora contractor friend

AKRON, Ohio - If you need power restored, a tree trimmed around electrical wiring or the regular work schedule for electricity installation expedited in northeast Ohio, a call from your local elected official or political buddy might get the job done faster than if you make your own call as just a regular citizen.

Douglas Hogan, an administrator for external affairs for FirstEnergy company, testified on Friday that his company expedited electricity connections to a Berea apartment building being built by contractor Ferris Kleem after receiving a call from former county commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Dimora's intermediary, J. Kevin Kelley.

"I am calling on behalf of County Commissioner Dimora," Kelley told Hogan on an initial call regarding Kleem's project.

Those words helped get what could have been a six week wait for connectivity completed in just two weeks.

Hogan, testifying as a witness for the federal government, told jurors his job was to take calls from public officials in his area to help them expedite various jobs performed by FirstEnergy company. He said such calls were common from councilmen, mayors and other public officials.

Hogan said he had served as president of the Parma Chamber of Commerce, is presently the president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and is active in the communities.

He testified he knew Kleem from seeing Kleem at a cook-off and at political events. But Hogan said he knew Dimora best because their sons played high school basketball together and they usually spoke with each other based upon that association.

Hogan said he also knew J. Kevin Kelley from Kelley's roles as a former Parma councilman and Parma City School board member.

When Dimora called, Hogan said he told Dimora he knew Kleem and that Kleem could have called Hogan directly about the apartment electrical connectivity job.

"It's OK," Hogan said Dimora told him. "I like to do favors for my friends."

Prosecutors used Hogan's testimony in their ongoing effort to show that Dimora used his influence to commit official acts in exchange for things of value. Earlier in the week, prosecutors presented witnesses and evidence showing Kleem gave Dimora a refrigerator, television and $2,000 cash towards the purchase of a Rolex watch in an effort to buy Dimora's leverage on county contracts.

Dimora and co-defendant Michael Gabor have maintained their innocence of all federal charges.

Continue to monitor newsnet5.com and NewsChannel5 for ongoing developments in the trial.