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Governor Weighs In On Feds' Investigation In Cuyahoga Co.

Commissioner Hagan 'Stunned' By Investigation

POSTED: 6:34 pm EDT July 30, 2008
UPDATED: 7:03 pm EDT July 30, 2008

There are more financial ties between businesses raided on Monday and Cuyahoga County and Gov. Ted Strickland also weighed in on the public corruption investigation, reported NewsChannel5's Duane Pohlman.

Strickland, the state's top Democrat, made it clear he has no contact with anyone involved in the investigation.

"When the FBI is investigating, the most proper thing for me and others to do is to do nothing that would be perceived as an attempt to interfere with that investigation," he said.

On Wednesday, County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones released details of more connections to those who were raided.

Steve Pumper, associated with DAS Construction, is a partner in rehabbing Allerton Apartments and received a $1 million loan from the county.

Michael Forlani, connected with another raided business, Pyramid Electric, got $2.5 million in contracts and a $350,000 loan.

While connections continue to be made, other top elected leaders are keeping their distance and letting the feds conduct their investigation.

"Let the chips fall where they may," said Strickland.

Lawson Jones said he has not had any contact with federal agents and is not a subject of the investigation.

Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is under investigation; his home and office were both raided on Monday, along with the home and office of Auditor Frank Russo.

Commissioner Tim Hagan also spoke to NewsChannel5 on Wednesday. He was out of town when the raids occurred on Monday.

Hagan said he was stunned by the news of the investigation.

''I hope this isn't a rush to judgment. I believe in the American justice system. People are presumed innocent and this investigation will go on," Hagan said.

Hagan also said, "You don't bring 200 agents if you don't have some accusations that can be proven in a court of law."

Dimora, who has remained silent since Monday's raids, is expected to make a brief statement before Thursday morning's commissioners meeting.

Russo, meanwhile, came back to work Wednesday at the county administration building for the first time since the raids.

Russo said he hasn't done anything wrong and plans to stay in office. He said it's business as usual at the auditor's office.

No one involved in the investigation has been charged with any wrongdoing.



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