Former auditor pleads guilty in corruption case

September 17, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A former public official pleaded guilty Thursday to taking more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for steering county government contracts and hiring political cronies.

Former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo, 60, a Democrat who resigned last week, faces a likely prison sentence of nearly 22 years on charges including bribery, obstruction and tax fraud.

He told U.S. District Judge Kathleen O’Malley that he understood the lengthy sentence and plea deal means he cannot ask for leniency. The deal is tied to a pending plea by Russo’s son, who was charged earlier and spares any more family members from facing charges in the case.

The judge acknowledged the unusual terms of the plea deal and she was satisfied after talking with prosecutors that the deal is appropriate.

Other Russo family members haven’t been charged and the government has signaled that the two-year investigation is coming to a close.

The defense and prosecution agreed that Russo would get a sentence of 21 years and 10 months. The deal rules out discretion by the judge, O’Malley told Russo, who spoke calmly as relatives watched from the gallery.

Russo understands the sentence will amount to a life prison term, assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Rowland told the judge.

Russo’s political ally, county Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, was charged with bribery Wednesday. Dimora, a former county Democratic chairman and the top target of the probe, denies wrongdoing.

Since the investigation of the Democrat-controlled county government began, more than 30 people have been charged — including Russo’s son, Vincent, who pleaded not guilty in July to bribery and conspiracy.

A judge has scheduled a change-of-plea hearing Friday for Vincent Russo. His attorney didn’t immediately return a message Thursday seeking comment.

Investigators say the younger Russo conspired to trade television sets for consulting contracts.

The countywide wrongdoing alleged by investigators spurred voters to change the county government — effective next year — from three commissioners to a county executive and elected 11-member county council.