NORTHEAST OHIO Man enters guilty plea in ODOT bribe case

The defendant remains free on bond, with sentencing set for Jan. 8.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Businessman George Ginnis of Campbell has pleaded guilty to bribing an Ohio Department of Transportation bridge inspector.
On Aug. 6, a federal grand jury in Cleveland handed up a two-count indictment against Ginnis, 57, of Harmony Lane. He was charged with bribery and conspiracy, with trial set for next week.
At a final pretrial hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court, Akron, Ginnis pleaded guilty to bribery. Sentencing is set for Jan. 8. U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin continued Ginnis' $50,000 unsecured bond and ordered a presentence investigation.
Payoffs identified
Ginnis' indictment identifies payoffs to an unnamed ODOT inspector in 1997, including a guitar and $500 cash; $2,000 to Jeffrey Burton, an ODOT inspector from Lakewood, in 2001; and a $1,000 bribe to another unnamed ODOT inspector in summer 2002. At the time of the charges, Ginnis and Larry Frangos were painting contractors, co-owners of Argo, the government said.
On Aug. 6, a one-count information was filed against Frangos, 57, of Kennedy Road, Lowellville, charging him with bribery involving federal programs. He pleaded guilty Oct. 10 to giving a $2,000 bribe to Burton in 2001. He will be sentenced Dec. 19 in U.S. District Court, Cleveland.
A one-count information filed against Burton was unsealed Aug. 18 by court order. ODOT said then that he was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Burton pleaded guilty Aug. 28 to creating false reports between January and April 1998 as to the quantity or quality of the work performed with federally funded bridge painting projects administered by ODOT. He will be sentenced Dec. 2 in Akron.
meade@vindy.com