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The federal investigation into possible corruption by Cuyahoga County officials touches on services that are among the chief reasons that governments exist: revitalizing the economy, serving troubled and abused children and possibly even caring for soldiers injured in Iraq and aging veterans.

The FBI and IRS have taken aim at recent lucrative construction projects designed to improve those services while providing a shot in the arm for the region’s economy, through thousands of construction jobs.

Investigators are examining whether Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo steered the construction contracts to businesses that provided free improvements to their homes.

The investigation is much bigger than that, though.

Records obtained Tuesday show that agents want to know whether Dimora and Russo offered jobs in exchange for favors or used their influence in judicial proceedings, decision-making at the top levels of county government and determinations of how much taxes people and companies should pay.

The records also reveal some interesting specifics about what agents were looking for when they spread out Monday morning to conduct raids:

• Handwritten notes about a $20,000 payment involving Russo and four ongoing projects, including the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center. The records do not go into detail about who paid or received the money.

• More than $2,000 in cash in Russo’s personal office and records describing where it came from or how it was to be spent.

• Records pertaining to the use by Dimora or county official Kevin Kelley of a private luxury condominium in the upscale Stonebridge development overlooking the Flats, near the offices of both men.

• Evidence that public employees did personal work for Dimora and Russo during working hours, including serving as Dimora’s driver, and handled Democratic Party business during office hours. In 1998, Russo was convicted of a misdemeanor for doing political work on county time.

• Photographs in Russo’s personal office of Dimora and employee Rosemary Vinci, a former strip club manager. Vinci was the center of a political storm this spring when The Plain Dealer reported she was on the county payroll without having clear duties or time sheets showing she reported to work.

Much more at link: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/07/cuyahoga_county_raids_sought_r.html#more

Dimora’s Statement today:

Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora read the following statement today at the beginning of the group’s regularly scheduled meeting:

I have a prepared statement that I’d like to read to the audience today.

As you can imagine, I am still shocked and stunned at what has occurred over these past several days. This has been one the most difficult and stressful times in my life, for me personally, and for my family. But as the old saying goes, ‘Behind every dark cloud there is silver lining.’ This experience is going to help me lose weight fast, that’s for sure.

I have served the residents of Cuyahoga County for over 10 years as county commissioner and I have always put the citizens of Cuyahoga County first and foremost in all my decisions. I know in my heart that I have done nothing wrong to warrant this kind of an investigation. I would never do anything to hurt our great county and the great people that live in Cuyahoga County, my staff, all of the great county employees or my family.

I am absolutely confident that when the dust clears, my good name and reputation will also be cleared. But for now, however, the inquiry is in the hands of the federal government and I cannot, under advice from counsel, comment or answer any questions on any of the matters with regards to the federal inquiry. I hope and expect that the investigation will be fair. I also hope the public won’t rush to conclusion and premature judgement and will allow this investigation to play out. I fully plan to continue to work with both of my outstanding colleagues, my great staff, our outstanding administrators, directors and other county personnel and staff, always for the purpose of carrying out the vitally important work, programs and services that we continue to provide for so many of our needy people here in Cuyahoga County.

And I also want to say we need to continue to work towards building the Medical Mart, the convention center and continue to work on other important long overdue projects needed for the economic growth and benefit of the people of Cuyahoga County, all of Northeast Ohio and our region. And I believe we will get these projects done. I want to thank all of the people that have called and extended their support to me and to my family. And I want to thank all of you for understanding and your patience today.

$160 million Juvenile Justice Complex project prominent in search warrants

Veteran’s Administration hospital project draws attention of federal investigators

Ameritrust project part of county probe

Ferris Kleem’s house valued at 1995 price despite improvements

More available at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/fbi_raids_cuyahoga_county/