CLEVELAND -- As one of the targets in a federal public corruption investigation, Jimmy Dimora on Thursday made it clear that he will continue to work as a Cuyahoga County commissioner.

However, the question remains whether he should step down as chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

During his first public statement since the county investigation broke, Dimora made no mention of his post with the Democratic Party. He has been its chairman for 14 years.

On Monday, Dimora's home and several county offices, including his own, were searched as part of the federal corruption probe by the FBI and IRS.

Party leaders at the county Democratic headquarters would not publicly comment but NewsChannel5 learned that party officers could hold a meeting as early as Monday and that Dimora's standing could be discussed.

NewsChannel5 political analyst and Baldwin Wallace associate professor Tom Sutton said this is an important election year for Democrats locally and nationally, and that he believes Dimora should resign.

"In terms of the interest of the party, I think he should definitely step down as the chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Even if he's completely innocent of these charges, he understands or should understand that appearance makes a big difference," said Sutton.

Dimora said Thursday he could not comment further on the federal investigation.

He did not return NewsChannel5's call asking him if he would step down as Democratic Party chairman.