BuckeyeBlog

The news that the FBI probe into the actions of Cuyahoga County officials Jimmy Dimora and Frank Russo is now expanding with a search of two judges’ chambers is pretty significant and doesn’t really need much commentary. I’d only note that unless you were a faithful reader of the Cleveland Plain Dealer you’d have little idea this probe was even taking place. C’mon, Dispatch, don’t you think that this type of federal investigation is worth covering?

Here is the latest development:

Agents appeared at the courtrooms of Common Pleas judges Bridget McCafferty and Steven Terry between 7 and 8 p.m.

FBI Special Agent Scott Wilson confirmed the searches were linked to the county corruption probe made public in July after FBI and IRS agents raided the homes and offices of county officials Jimmy Dimora, Frank Russo and Kevin Kelley, but he would not say what agents were searching for.

Terry is a political ally of Russo’s. Terry’s former bailiff, Michael Calabrese, 43, is a house mate of Russo’s. The two bought a house together in Mayfield.

A federal grand jury has begun hearing testimony and serving subpoenas to contractors and county officials. Dimora, Russo and Kelley are suspected of trading county contracts for work on their homes.

The investigators are also looking into hiring practices at the county, and whether county employees engaged in political work on public time, according to search warrants and other court documents.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer had an interesting editorial about embattled Cuyahoga County officials Jimmy Dimora and Frank Russo:

Politicians aren’t like the rest of us. Take those two walking ATM machines known as Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and County Recorder Frank Russo.

They hired Nature Stone flooring to do some concrete work at their respective pools back in 2002. And like most of us hardworking wage slaves, they paid cash. At least, that’s what Nature Stone founder Russell Masetta says.

Dimora ponied up $10,125. Russo peeled a quick $7,990 off the roll in his pocket. These guys don’t carry wallets. They carry suitcases.

In case you forgot, Dimora and Russo are under federal investigation for a variety of corruption charges. Unless you subscribe to the Plain Dealer you probably wouldn’t have heard of this. There seems to be a distinct lack of coverage from the state’s other newspapers.