Former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo enters federal prison

CLEVELAND - Former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo has arrived at and entered a federal prison in Pennsylvania, where he will begin serving a 22-year sentence on corruption and racketeering charges.

Russo has remained free on bond for more than two years after he pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

A hearing will be held in February to determine whether Russo's sentence will be shortened based on testimony he provided in several key corruption trials, including that of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora.

Russo will be housed at the Loretto Federal Correctional Institution, a minimum security prison, located about 90 miles east of Pittsburgh, between Altoona and Johnstown.

Other convicted politicians who served time there include former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who served 10 months after pleading guilty to accepting gifts from a contractor, and former New York State Sen. Vincent Leibell, who is currently serving time on tax fraud charges.