8 indicted in Ohio highway agency probe

CLEVELAND (AP) — Eight people, including three former Ohio Department of Transportation employees, have been indicted in a public corruption investigation.

The indictments announced today by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason also charge five vendors who did business with the highway agency’s regional office in Garfield Heights.

The charges include racketeering, bribery, theft in office and obstructing justice.

Three other former ODOT officials and six contractors pleaded guilty earlier.

The investigation has focused on alleged bribes to state workers in return for contracts. The alleged bribes include lap dances at strip clubs, fishing trips and other favors.