BREAKING NEWS - FEDS ARREST EAST CLEVELAND MAYOR

Is he a Democrat by any chance? Will Jessie Jackson offer to be the mediator? Will John Kerry or Ted Kennedy cry "FOUL?"

41 posted on 04/22/2004 8:55:44 AM PDT by Happy2BMe (U.S.A. - - United We Stand - - Divided We Fall - - Support Our Troops - - Vote BUSH)

"Think the Philly mayor is nervous?"

His arrest will come with many, many more...some reaching all the way to Alabama.

42 posted on 04/22/2004 8:55:57 AM PDT by blam

To: Interesting Times

I bet the mayors of North, South, and West Cleveland are shaking in their boots...

North Cleveland? Also known as Lake Erie.

43 posted on 04/22/2004 8:56:11 AM PDT by NeoCaveman (Is Arlen a Republican? Not proven.)

To: dubyaismypresident

Sad thing is this guy switched parties to Republican not that long ago.

He probably knew what was coming down and figured he'd gratuitously hose the GOP...

44 posted on 04/22/2004 8:57:05 AM PDT by NYC GOP Chick ("If I could shoot like that, I would still be in the NBA" -- Bill Clinton, circa 1995)

From Action News Now

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio – 19 Action News Investigator Tom Meyer reported that a secret, criminal investigation now underway was the reason for a serious wake-up call for the mayor of East Cleveland.

The Feds raided City Hall and the home of Mayor Emmanuel Onunwor.

FBI and IRS agents came knocking on the mayor's door before the sun came up and investigators from HUD joined the two agencies in a raid on City Hall.

Onunwor (pictured, above) showed 19 Action News a copy of the search warrant that allowed federal agents to begin searching his home as the mayor's kids were getting ready for school.

"It appears to be a witch-hunt, looking for every way to destroy me," he said.

More FBI agents weren't far away, raiding East Cleveland City Hall and seizing all sorts of financial records from Onunwor's office.

"This whole area is being searched, looking for documents," an FBI agent told The Investigator. "We'll have to ask you to go downstairs."

Agents confiscated the mayor's bank account records; income tax returns; cell phone statements; and a whole lot more.

"They also took $700 in cash from my wife," the mayor said. "She was using (that money) to pay bills."

The mayor has been under FBI investigation for a number of months. The Feds are looking at allegations of payoffs and contract steering. Among the records taken were contracts involving an engineering firm that distributes water for the city.

When Meyer asked Onunwor if he was involved in and criminal misconduct, his reply was vague.

"I don't know. That's why they are here," he said.

As the FBI packed documents into dozens of boxes, the mayor appeared confident that investigators would not find any incriminating evidence.

When asked if he had ever taken a bribe or benefited from a city contract. Onunwor's reply was more direct.

"The answer is no," he said.

Interestingly enough, the mayor maintained his innocence, but still expected to be indicted. For what, he doesn't know, and the Feds aren't talking.

45 posted on 04/22/2004 8:57:26 AM PDT by BJClinton (This is how one should do a sarcasm tag: </sarcasm>)

East Cleveland? No republicans anywhere within 30 miles.

46 posted on 04/22/2004 8:57:53 AM PDT by bonfire

To: SandyInSeattle

"Sorry, guys, he's ours."

Does not matter. Corrupt is corrupt...throw his butt in prison.

47 posted on 04/22/2004 8:58:41 AM PDT by blam

Bet Lee (period) P (period) Brown is...another corrupt mayor...

48 posted on 04/22/2004 8:58:56 AM PDT by antivenom ("Never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level - then beat you with experience.")

To: NYC GOP Chick

He probably knew what was coming down and figured he'd gratuitously hose the GOP...

Probably figured he's be safe as long as he was the same party as the adminstration.... It seemed to work in the Klintoon years.

49 posted on 04/22/2004 8:59:01 AM PDT by NeoCaveman (Is Arlen a Republican? Not proven.)

"He must be a DEM, i don't see his party affiliation in the story."

rofl
how true!

50 posted on 04/22/2004 8:59:36 AM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (the madridification of our election is now officially underway.)

To: dubyaismypresident

51 posted on 04/22/2004 8:59:56 AM PDT by NYC GOP Chick ("If I could shoot like that, I would still be in the NBA" -- Bill Clinton, circa 1995)

To: SandyInSeattle

Looks like switching to republican didn't save his corrupt butt. Unlike the dems we take out corruption no matter who he blongs to.

52 posted on 04/22/2004 9:00:42 AM PDT by McGavin999 (Evil thrives when good men do nothing.)

Corrupt is corrupt...throw his butt in prison.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

53 posted on 04/22/2004 9:01:19 AM PDT by BJClinton (This is how one should do a sarcasm tag: </sarcasm>)

I'll bet where he's at, it's a Liberal's haven for social engineering projects. I can't figure out why he'd switch to the Republican party in the first place, unless it has something to do with these criminal charges he's laid at the feet of the Republican party, as if to stain an entire party.

54 posted on 04/22/2004 9:01:28 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (Liberalism is Communism one drink at a time. - P.J. O'Rourke)

To: SandyInSeattle

Mayor Emmanuel Onunwor of East Cleveland, the country's first African-born mayor, recently switched his party affiliation from the Democratic to the Republican side, explaining that by doing so he would be better able to help repair his blighted city. Sorry, guys, he's ours.

I would say he knew of the convictions long before he switched! can't have a D next to his name

55 posted on 04/22/2004 9:02:04 AM PDT by LynnHam

To: dubyaismypresident

North Cleveland? Also known as Lake Erie.

That's why the Mayor of North Cleveland needs boots...

56 posted on 04/22/2004 9:02:42 AM PDT by Interesting Times (ABCNNBCBS -- yesterday's news.)

Keepin' the black man down again /sarcasm

57 posted on 04/22/2004 9:03:33 AM PDT by bmwcyle (<a href="http://www.johnkerry.com/" target="_blank">miserable failure)

He's not a rare black conservative Republican.
He was East Cleveland Council President forever, and he's in thick with the Democrats who run Cleveland - Louis Stokes, Steffie Jones, etc.

He's had problems with corruption well before he switched parties - perhaps he got a heads up?

Republicans don't get elected in Cleveland, let alone Cuyahoga County.

58 posted on 04/22/2004 9:05:42 AM PDT by mabelkitty (John Kerry is the sad clown of life.)

To: SandyInSeattle

He's been under investigation for some time. When did he switch parties?

From the Cinci Enquirer dated 12/04/2003

Mayor under probe by both IRS and FBI

EAST CLEVELAND - The Internal Revenue Service and FBI on Wednesday executed search warrants at City Hall and at the home of Mayor Emmanuel Onunwor, the mayor said.

Onunwor told reporters that agents from the FBI and IRS knocked on his home door at 6 a.m. Wednesday and took tax records, other documents, cash and cell phones.

FBI spokesman Bob Hawk refused to give details about the warrants, which were sealed. The IRS also refused comment. No charges have been filed.

59 posted on 04/22/2004 9:08:41 AM PDT by BJClinton (This is how one should do a sarcasm tag: </sarcasm>)

To: dubyaismypresident; kayak; mabelkitty; conspiratoristo; Commiewatcher; Typelouder

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. Thanks for ping Kay.

60 posted on 04/22/2004 9:12:30 AM PDT by DollyCali ("Trying to keep the Freepers pulling in the same direction is like trying to herd cats." Richard Poe)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794