Ex-senator pleads guilty in corruption probe

CLEVELAND (AP) — A former state senator has pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud charges in a Cuyahoga County government corruption investigation.

Anthony Sinagra, 69, pleaded guilty on Monday as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors for a shorter prison sentence.

Sinagra, a Republican and former mayor of suburban Lakewood, admitted bribing a suburban school board member in exchange for consulting work and charging a Cleveland halfway house $190,000 for little or no work in return.

Sinagra’s lawyer declined to comment.

Sinagra was the eighth person charged in the investigation. FBI agents raided government offices and the homes of County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo months ago. Neither have been charged and both deny wrongdoing.