Feds say Dimora took high-value gifts, then tried covering his tracks

AKRON, Ohio - Federal officials claimed on Tuesday morning that former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora took expensive gifts from private contractor Ferris Kleem, and then obstructed justice by trying to cover his tracks once a FBI investigation became apparent in 2008.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Rowland elicited testimony from FBI Special Agent Michael Massie in an attempt to link a flat screen TV, side-by-side Whirlpool refrigerator and GTS Rolex watch they said was given to Dimora and paid for by Kleem. Federal officials showed jurors photos, receipts and handwritten notes obtained in search warrants served by federal agents on Dimora’s home and Kleem’s business.

Rowland also entered into evidence a contract received by Blaze Construction, one of Kleem’s companies, for more than $2.88 million to re-pave Snow Road in Cuyahoga County. Blaze Construction, the lowest bidder, was awarded the contract shortly after Dimora, Kleem and others returned to Cleveland from their trip to Las Vegas.

Federal wiretap conversations were also played in which former county employee and Parma School Board President J. Kevin Kelley, a driver and intermediary for Dimora, pressed the county engineer’s office to assign a specific inspector to the Snow Road project that Kleem and Dimora allegedly wanted to oversee the project for the county.

Dimora’s wife, Lori, was heard in another wiretap recording speaking with Kleem regarding the delivery of a television to the Dimora home in April 2008.

“Whatever is good for you. I’ll work around you,” Dimora’s wife said.

Prosecutors produced a receipt from a store in the suburb of Fairview Park which they said showed Kleem had purchased the TV that was delivered to Dimora. Federal officials said it was the same store from which Kleem bought TVs for his sports bar.

The FBI conducted surveillance and watched a white van deliver the television to Dimora’s home according to FBI Agent Massie.

Lori Dimora’s name has appeared during the trial on a receipt for a Rolex watch from Sheiban Jewelers and on checks issued for contractor services at the home and other items prosecutors claim are "things of value" in the case.

FBI agents also recovered from the Dimora home a note allegedly handwritten by Jimmy Dimora with Kleem’s cellphone number, the name of Tony Sheiban, from Sheiban Jewelers, and a description of a watch.

Federal officials attempted to link Kleem to Sheiban Jewelers by stating that Kleem’s construction company built the building in which the jewelry store operates. They also said Jimmy Dimora had an established relationship with the jeweler.

FBI Agent Massie said that targets of the investigation began obstructing the overall investigation and “covering their tracks” once the FBI investigation became overt when agents interviewed contractor Steven Pumper in May, 2008.

The prosecution's interview of FBI Agent Massie ended mid-morning at which time Dimora defense attorney Bill Whitaker began cross examining Massie.

Dimora and co-defendant Michael Gabor have maintained their innocence.

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