Former Cuyahoga Auditor Frank Russo caught driving by federal prison twice before surrendering

LORETTO, Pa. - Exclusive NewsChannel5 video reveals former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo driving by federal prison twice before surrendering on corruption charges.

The NewsChannel5 investigative team found Russo in the front passenger seat, wearing a ball cap, alongside an unidentified driver.

The car carrying Russo to the Loretto Federal Correctional Institution, 90 miles east of Pittsburgh, first arrived outside the prison's main entrance at 10 a.m.--then slowly proceeded past the entrance and out of sight.

Minutes later, it returned and again slowly passed by the prison gates.

It was 11:30 a.m., 90 minutes after first arriving, that Russo slipped into the prison complex through a second entrance--away from cameras.

Once inside, Russo surrendered to federal prison authorities who issued him one set of prison clothing, one set of bed linens, a towel and washcloth.

But the days of sleeping in for Russo, who often arrived at his county office at mid-day, are over. The prison wake-up call is 5:30 a.m.

Russo will also be required to work while in prison. The prison facility contracts with the military to make electrical wiring ranging from extension cords to more complex wire harness' for military tanks.

He will earn from 23 cents to $1.15.

Russo was sentenced to 22 years in prison, but a hearing will be held in February that could shorten his time behind bars based on his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

Russo's testimony led to the conviction of two sitting judges and former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora.