Feds: Cuyahoga County worker bribed public official, charges filed in corruption investigation

CLEVELAND - A county worker who is facing federal bribery charges in connection with the Cuyahoga County corruption investigation has resigned.

A federal information released Friday charges Daniel Weaver, the director of Information Services Center and Secretary of the Automated Data Processing Board, with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

The court document alleges that Weaver and a person labeled “Public Official 2” (PO2) knowingly were involved with bribery between December 2005 and July 29, 2008. NewsChannel5 investigators have previously reported that the responsibilities and description of PO2 in county corruption indictments matches that of County Auditor Frank Russo. Russo has not been charged in connection with the investigation.

“It was the object of the conspiracy that PO2 corruptly solicited and demanded things of value from Defendant and that Defendant corruptly gave and offered things of value to PO2, both acting with the intent that PO2 be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business, transaction and series of transactions of the County, the ISC and the ADP Board involving any thing of value of $5,000 or more,” prosecutors stated in the information.

Prosecutors said Weaver gave PO2 cash when asked for “loans” in amounts ranging from $30 up to $500 two to four times a year, with no expectation of repayment. It’s also alleged that part of the bribe was for Weaver to give PO2 gifts on his birthday and at Christmas, including $50 or $100 cash, $100 gift cards or ties.

The information said PO2 never gave anything of value to Weaver.

According to the document, in return for the cash and gifts, Weaver expected PO2 to perform official acts that would work to his benefit and that PO2 would be receptive to Weaver’s ideas on specific ISC and ADP Board projects worth more than $5,000.

Weaver was employed with the county up until Friday morning, but he turned in his resignation after the indictment was made public. No word yet when he’ll appear in court.