Jimmy Dimora: 'I don’t wanna have nothing out there that could come back and hurt him or me'

AKRON, Ohio - The federal jury saw documents showing Jimmy Dimora paid some money on a backyard project that cost several thousand dollars, after a connected contractor was busted by the FBI while trying to bribe an inspector.

Steve Pumper, formally of D-A-S Construction, testified he tried to create invoices for work done at Dimora's home after the FBI approached him in May 2008. Pumper was trying to bribe a city inspector with $2,000 at the time.

Pumper said he also tried to get rid of evidence. Prosecutors asked him how.

“One computer I put in a dumpster, and the other one I put in Lake Erie," Pumper testified. "There was information I didn’t want anyone to see."

The jury saw several documents Pumper created trying to show D-A-S had been keeping tabs on what Dimora owed for a backyard retreat at his Independence home, including a patio, bathhouse and outdoor kitchen.

The invoices were for work done in 2005. Prosecutors pointed out there were no invoices for the work done in earlier years, including 2002. Pumper said he forgot about the work in those years.

After the FBI finally raided county offices and homes of elected officials and others, including Pumper's, Pumper said he eventually decided to cooperate with the government on the advice of attorneys.

That's when prosecutors say Dimora tried to make payments on the backyard work. The jury saw several checks from Dimora and his wife Lori, made out to D-A-S Construction. The first check was dated in May 2008, a few days after Pumper was first approached by the FBI.

On a wiretap, the jury heard Dimora say, "I don’t wanna have nothing out there that could come back and hurt him or me." Dimora made the statement to Rick Capone, owner of Qualified Contractors Inc.

Capone has not been charged.

On another call, former auditor Frank Russo told Dimora he had nothing to worry about because his building permit had not yet expired.

"Works out perfect," Russo said.

On that same call, Dimora told Russo, "I paid $13,000 back in 2004 and 2005." Pumper testified that was a lie.

The jury saw checks from the Dimoras sent to D-A-S over several months from May 2008 through 2010, in varying amounts from $600 to $1,500.

The jury still does not know how much the Dimoras paid, and exactly how much the work cost D-A-S, as Pumper's direct exam was continuing into Wednesday afternoon.

Pumper has pleaded guilty to bribery and other charges. Prosecutors say he did work at Dimora's home and gave the former commissioner other things of value, in order to get favorable treatment on county loans and projects.

Dimora and co-defendant Michael Gabor have maintained their innocence on all federal charges.