YouTube video shows Cuyahoga taxpayer's confrontation with Frank Russo outside Cleveland restaurant

CLEVELAND - A person who claims to be a Cuyahoga County taxpayer posted a video on YouTube of a confrontation with former auditor Frank Russo at a restaurant in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.

The 1-minute 27-second video was posted by a user named “ z4rt4n ” on May 12 and is is described as an interview with Frank Russo about Jimmy Dimora.”

“Hey, why is Jimmy sitting up in prison and you’re out eating at Grumpy’s? How does that go?” asked a man off-camera as Russo walked out of the restaurant.

“Huh?” replied Russo.

“What do you mean ‘huh’? Why are you here enjoying this beautiful day and Jimmy whole pie is locked up? asked the man.

“You know, we’re different people,” said Russo.

“When are you going away?” asked the man.

“Are you a reporter?” asked Russo.

“No. We’re just citizens of Cuyahoga County,” responded a woman who was also off-camera and apparently recording the run-in.

“I think it’s fair for us to ask questions. We’re citizens of Cuyahoga County,” she continued.

Russo’s group then walked away while some back-and-forth shouting continued.

Russo, who pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Cuyahoga County corruption investigation, has yet to report to prison. He was scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 29, but prosecutors postponed it indefinitely because Russo agreed to testify in Dimora’s and others’ trial.

During Dimora’s trial that ended with Dimora being convicted and sent to prison, Russo admitted during defense cross-examination that he generated more than $1.5 million in kickbacks for himself and others by steering contracts, selling public jobs and giving away property tax reductions.

“We only worked with a select crowd, intermediaries and people we trusted,” Russo told jurors in describing who he would work with to steer contracts and take bribes.

What do you think about the video? Was it fair to confront Russo, or was it unnecessary? Chime in via the comment box below.

Watch the video here: http://on.wews.com/Jj7F7E