Jimmy Dimora facing new charges; Michael Forlani arrested

CLEVELAND - Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is facing a second trial after new racketeering charges were filed against him.

The new extortion and conspiracy charges were detailed in a federal indictment unsealed Friday.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment with four additional charges against Dimora and a new co-defendant, electrical contractor Michael Forlani. He is the former President of Doan Pyramid, a large electrical contracting firm.

Forlani allegedly bribed Dimora and others with gifts, meals, money and free home improvements in return for help landing contracting work on public projects.

Forlani was arrested at his home in Gates Mills Friday morning on racketeering, mail fraud and related charges. He posted bond and was released following his court appearance. Dimora has not been re-arrested.

Dimora could get 20 years in this case, if he is found guilty.

Sabra Pierce Scott pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs that receive federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Scott was accused of accepting $2,000 in bribes from Forlani.

Doan Pyramid won electrical contracts to provide work at the new Juvenile Justice Center and the Louis Stokes VA Hospital. Court documents show that Forlani worked with Dimora to get the contracts, and that between 2002 and 2008, Dimora and Forlani conspired to provide free and discounted home improvements to Dimora for the contracts.

Dimora already is facing a racketeering trial in January. Each case will be tried separately. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, this indictment focuses on the racketeering conspiracy involving Forlani’s business. The first indictment is related to Dimora’s racketeering in Cuyahoga County.

Dimora and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty on original charges of racketeering, bribery and corruption.

More than three dozen public officials and contractors have pleaded guilty in the investigation.