Puente, politicians' scourge, leaves Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND --This Sunday, Mark Puente's byline appeared in the Plain Dealer for the last time. Prosecutor Bill Mason, who found Puente on his front porch more times than he liked this year, is probably shaking off the fear of his own ringing doorbell. Ex-sheriff Gerald McFaul, still under house arrest for crimes Puente uncovered, may feel cursed anew to know his nemesis is free to enjoy southern sunshine.
Puente, the PD's best reporter of the past three years, left earlier this month to write about Florida real estate for the prestigious St. Petersburg Times. It's a shock to readers who appreciated his relentless exposés of Cleveland politicians, but no surprise to those close to him.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Mark Puente’s 18 stories about former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul’s office put the Plain Dealer police reporter on the front page and reminded the city that it still needs a watchdog.
CLEVELAND -- The reporter who took on the sheriff is a big guy, with glasses softening his round face. He is 39 years old and four years out of college. He has three sons, age 20, 20, and 19. He logged 1 million miles in 13 years as a trucker, and he’s licensed to hit the road again anytime. He’s not likely to. Journalism is working out pretty well.
As The Plain Dealer cops reporter, Mark Puente spends his workdays in a bare room in Cleveland police headquarters. He even talks in the clipped, staccato speech of a cop. He’s also the first to remind you that he’s a beat writer, not a crusader.
Shifting gears to new career is right move: An essay
CLEVELAND -- The buzzing of the alarm clock sounded like a freight train rumbling through the door. I felt like I'd gone to sleep three hours ago.
I did.
Why was I torturing myself? Did I need to go to college? No. I had a career. But then I envisioned myself 20 years later as a worn-out, bitter truck driver.
CLEVELAND -- The buzzing of the alarm clock sounded like a freight train rumbling through the door. I felt like I'd gone to sleep three hours ago.
I did.
Why was I torturing myself? Did I need to go to college? No. I had a career. But then I envisioned myself 20 years later as a worn-out, bitter truck driver.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
FBI investigating hiring of Pat Coyne at Cuyahoga County coroner's office
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND-- The FBI is investigating whether Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason forced the county coroner to hire a political ally, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Bob Reid confirmed the investigation Friday in response to a Plain Dealer editorial urging his office to take action. Reid declined to comment beyond saying his office has consulted with the FBI.
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND-- The FBI is investigating whether Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason forced the county coroner to hire a political ally, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Bob Reid confirmed the investigation Friday in response to a Plain Dealer editorial urging his office to take action. Reid declined to comment beyond saying his office has consulted with the FBI.
Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller fires top aide for a second time in two weeks
With Henry J. Gomez
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller has fired top aide Patrick Coyne for the second time this month.
The move, effective Friday, comes less than two weeks after Miller rescinded a termination letter that accused Coyne, a $120,000-a-year human resources and operations director, of stealing campaign money.
With Henry J. Gomez
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller has fired top aide Patrick Coyne for the second time this month.
The move, effective Friday, comes less than two weeks after Miller rescinded a termination letter that accused Coyne, a $120,000-a-year human resources and operations director, of stealing campaign money.
Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul may have collected $500,000 from workers while in office
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul agreed to pay $131,000 in restitution when he was sentenced this year for theft in office, but a state investigators' file says he may have accepted more than half a million dollars in cash from his employees.
State officials last week released a 1,000-page file on the criminal investigation of McFaul, offering the most detailed view to date of how the former sheriff misbehaved in office. The file paints a picture of a man who began enriching himself soon after he pinned on his sheriff's badge 30 years ago and continued to grab as much cash as he could until the day in 2009 when he had to resign in disgrace.
State officials last week released a 1,000-page file on the criminal investigation of McFaul, offering the most detailed view to date of how the former sheriff misbehaved in office. The file paints a picture of a man who began enriching himself soon after he pinned on his sheriff's badge 30 years ago and continued to grab as much cash as he could until the day in 2009 when he had to resign in disgrace.
Prosecutor Bill Mason accepted $30,000 from donors implicated in corruption probes
With Henry J. Gomez
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason has accepted nearly $30,000 in campaign contributions over seven years from public officials and businessmen charged or implicated in two federal corruption investigations.
The amount is roughly 13 percent of what Mason, a prolific fundraiser who has cast himself as a crusader for campaign-finance reform, recently reported in his political fund.
With Henry J. Gomez
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason has accepted nearly $30,000 in campaign contributions over seven years from public officials and businessmen charged or implicated in two federal corruption investigations.
The amount is roughly 13 percent of what Mason, a prolific fundraiser who has cast himself as a crusader for campaign-finance reform, recently reported in his political fund.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason hires lawyer who gave his sister a high-paying state job
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND,Ohio -- Michael Dolan, who hired the sister of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason while serving as director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, now has a spot on Mason's payroll.
Mason hired the former Cleveland city councilman and fellow Democrat in May, three weeks after he lost a primary for a seat on the county's Domestic Relations Court. Dolan's job as a civil lawyer pays $65,000 a year.
Dolan ran the state lottery from March 2007 to August 2009. Two months after starting that job, he hired Mason's sister, Peggy Mason Bodach, as a policy analyst at $79,289 a year.
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND,Ohio -- Michael Dolan, who hired the sister of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason while serving as director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, now has a spot on Mason's payroll.
Mason hired the former Cleveland city councilman and fellow Democrat in May, three weeks after he lost a primary for a seat on the county's Domestic Relations Court. Dolan's job as a civil lawyer pays $65,000 a year.
Dolan ran the state lottery from March 2007 to August 2009. Two months after starting that job, he hired Mason's sister, Peggy Mason Bodach, as a policy analyst at $79,289 a year.
Coroner Frank Miller accuses Prosecutor Bill Mason of making him hire a suburban councilman
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller said Friday that county Prosecutor Bill Mason ordered him to hire a friend and political ally in exchange for help with Miller's election campaign.
Miller, in an interview with The Plain Dealer, said Mason and his chief trial lawyer, Steve Dever, told him to place Strongsville City Councilman Patrick Coyne on his payroll in 2007, the year Miller took office.
With Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller said Friday that county Prosecutor Bill Mason ordered him to hire a friend and political ally in exchange for help with Miller's election campaign.
Miller, in an interview with The Plain Dealer, said Mason and his chief trial lawyer, Steve Dever, told him to place Strongsville City Councilman Patrick Coyne on his payroll in 2007, the year Miller took office.
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora returns to work shielded by 4 armed guards
With Henry J. Gomez and Laura Johnston
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indicted Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora used four armed guards to shield himself from news reporters after a meeting Thursday.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid, who oversees the taxpayer-financed Protective Services unit, later said he had not authorized the unusual security detail and would investigate.
With Henry J. Gomez and Laura Johnston
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indicted Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora used four armed guards to shield himself from news reporters after a meeting Thursday.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid, who oversees the taxpayer-financed Protective Services unit, later said he had not authorized the unusual security detail and would investigate.
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora traded sex for bribes and favors, a federal indictment says
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is a man who bartered political favors for sex -- a lot of sex, a federal indictment says.
While previous indictments in the Cuyahoga County corruption probe focused principally on exchanges of money or gifts for political favors, Wednesday's indictment portrays Dimora as a man who exchanged his influence for sexual favors like businessmen exchange lunch checks.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is a man who bartered political favors for sex -- a lot of sex, a federal indictment says.
While previous indictments in the Cuyahoga County corruption probe focused principally on exchanges of money or gifts for political favors, Wednesday's indictment portrays Dimora as a man who exchanged his influence for sexual favors like businessmen exchange lunch checks.
Board of Revision member Brigid O'Malley tries to ban photographer from taking her picture during public meeting
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Board of Revision member Brigid O'Malley delayed hearings by 45 minutes for taxpayers challenging their property assessments Wednesday when she tried banning a Plain Dealer photographer from taking her picture at a public meeting.
O'Malley stormed out of the room before 10 a.m. when she learned the newspaper had planned to take pictures for its investigation of the boards of revision. Moments later, she returned and said the county prosecutor ruled that pictures could not be taken of the meeting.
The newspaper objected.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Board of Revision member Brigid O'Malley delayed hearings by 45 minutes for taxpayers challenging their property assessments Wednesday when she tried banning a Plain Dealer photographer from taking her picture at a public meeting.
O'Malley stormed out of the room before 10 a.m. when she learned the newspaper had planned to take pictures for its investigation of the boards of revision. Moments later, she returned and said the county prosecutor ruled that pictures could not be taken of the meeting.
The newspaper objected.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason didn't challenge legally questionable ruling that slashed value of his home
With Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As Cuyahoga County's prosecutor, Bill Mason serves as the legal adviser to all of the county's agencies, including boards of revision that hear taxpayers' challenges of their property assessments.
Yet Mason did not challenge a legally questionable closed-door ruling by two board members that slashed $93,200 from the value of his Seven Hills home last year, The Plain Dealer has found.
With Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As Cuyahoga County's prosecutor, Bill Mason serves as the legal adviser to all of the county's agencies, including boards of revision that hear taxpayers' challenges of their property assessments.
Yet Mason did not challenge a legally questionable closed-door ruling by two board members that slashed $93,200 from the value of his Seven Hills home last year, The Plain Dealer has found.
Secretive and possibly illegal process was used to decide nearly 26,000 challenges to Cuyahoga County property values
With Plain Dealer Reporter Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than $400 million in property values was wiped from Cuyahoga County's tax rolls without a public hearing in front of boards of revision in a secretive process that may be illegal and does not happen in the state's other urban counties, The Plain Dealer has found.
With Plain Dealer Reporter Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than $400 million in property values was wiped from Cuyahoga County's tax rolls without a public hearing in front of boards of revision in a secretive process that may be illegal and does not happen in the state's other urban counties, The Plain Dealer has found.
High-paying jobs are created for two former workers at Cuyahoga County Board of Revision
With Plain Dealer Reporter Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A worker who was ousted and another who resigned this month from the Cuyahoga County office that considers challenges to property assessments now work in Auditor Frank Russo's office in jobs that didn't exist two weeks ago.
Neither job was posted. The public was not permitted to apply. The jobs pay $65,808 and $58,000 a year.
Robert Chambers was tossed out of his job as administrator of the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision after an audit found the office to be dysfunctional and mismanaged.
With Plain Dealer Reporter Gabriel Baird
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A worker who was ousted and another who resigned this month from the Cuyahoga County office that considers challenges to property assessments now work in Auditor Frank Russo's office in jobs that didn't exist two weeks ago.
Neither job was posted. The public was not permitted to apply. The jobs pay $65,808 and $58,000 a year.
Robert Chambers was tossed out of his job as administrator of the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision after an audit found the office to be dysfunctional and mismanaged.
Cuyahoga County property evaluator to resign Monday in light of Plain Dealer investigation
With Gabriel Baird / Plain Dealer reporter
A member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision plans to resign Monday after an investigation by the Plain Dealer reported Sunday that the $64,000 a year employee worked a second job on county time.
Tom Bush, 61, was paid to hear taxpayers complaints about their property assessments. But he also worked as a salesman for radio station WERE AM/1490.
Bush also could often be found at home in the afternoon and said he only worked the sales job on his county lunch break.
"I resigned," Bush said Sunday on the telephone. "That's it. I'm done. That's all I'm going to say."
With Gabriel Baird / Plain Dealer reporter
A member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision plans to resign Monday after an investigation by the Plain Dealer reported Sunday that the $64,000 a year employee worked a second job on county time.
Tom Bush, 61, was paid to hear taxpayers complaints about their property assessments. But he also worked as a salesman for radio station WERE AM/1490.
Bush also could often be found at home in the afternoon and said he only worked the sales job on his county lunch break.
"I resigned," Bush said Sunday on the telephone. "That's it. I'm done. That's all I'm going to say."
Cuyahoga County property evaluator works part-time job while on county time
With Gabriel Baird / Plain Dealer Reporter
A man who is paid $64,000 a year to work full time hearing Cuyahoga County taxpayers appeal their property assessments is in the office about three hours a day, works almost daily at a radio station and, according to him and his neighbors, often is at home in the afternoon.
With Gabriel Baird / Plain Dealer Reporter
A man who is paid $64,000 a year to work full time hearing Cuyahoga County taxpayers appeal their property assessments is in the office about three hours a day, works almost daily at a radio station and, according to him and his neighbors, often is at home in the afternoon.
Gerald McFaul sentenced to house arrest for theft, ethics offenses
CLEVELAND, Ohio-- Gerald McFaul was a bare-knuckled brawler for most of his 42 years in public office, but the longtime lawman broke down in tears Monday as he apologized for stealing from and cheating Cuyahoga County taxpayers.
A judge spared McFaul a sentence of up to 10 years in prison for two felony theft in office offenses and a misdemeanor ethics violation, and ordered the longest serving sheriff in county history to spend the next year on house arrest. McFaul will be fitted with an ankle bracelet that will monitor his every move.
A judge spared McFaul a sentence of up to 10 years in prison for two felony theft in office offenses and a misdemeanor ethics violation, and ordered the longest serving sheriff in county history to spend the next year on house arrest. McFaul will be fitted with an ankle bracelet that will monitor his every move.
Cleveland man tracks down stolen car, leads police to suspected chop shop
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Christopher Bravo isn't a detective, but his quest to find his stolen Honda Civic helped bust a car-theft ring and chop shop in an abandoned house on Cleveland's West Side.
The 20-year-old saw his car in a garage Monday night in an alley off Fulton Road, just seconds from the 2nd District police station. He called police, who quickly arrested nine suspects and found a vacant home stuffed with stolen car parts.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Christopher Bravo isn't a detective, but his quest to find his stolen Honda Civic helped bust a car-theft ring and chop shop in an abandoned house on Cleveland's West Side.
The 20-year-old saw his car in a garage Monday night in an alley off Fulton Road, just seconds from the 2nd District police station. He called police, who quickly arrested nine suspects and found a vacant home stuffed with stolen car parts.
Gerald McFaul pleads guilty; agrees to pay back $130,000
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul pleaded guilty Monday to stealing cash from his campaign fund, forcing his employees to sell tickets to his political fundraiser and breaking ethics laws by appointing his son as special deputy.
The 76-year-old Democrat from Strongsville also agreed to pay $130,000 in restitution as part of a plea deal. The two theft in office charges and the ethics violation carry up to 10 years in prison, but he could be placed on probation instead.
The longest serving sheriff in county history will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on July 26.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul pleaded guilty Monday to stealing cash from his campaign fund, forcing his employees to sell tickets to his political fundraiser and breaking ethics laws by appointing his son as special deputy.
The 76-year-old Democrat from Strongsville also agreed to pay $130,000 in restitution as part of a plea deal. The two theft in office charges and the ethics violation carry up to 10 years in prison, but he could be placed on probation instead.
The longest serving sheriff in county history will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on July 26.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason hired Northeast Ohio lawyer needing work to collect public pension
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason hired a politically connected lawyer for a part-time job that allowed the attorney to qualify for state-retiree benefits.
The attorney, Michael Climaco, needed three additional years of work to qualify for a state pension and health care. He met the requirement by stringing together 10 years of public work dating to 1972, when he became a Cleveland councilman.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason hired a politically connected lawyer for a part-time job that allowed the attorney to qualify for state-retiree benefits.
The attorney, Michael Climaco, needed three additional years of work to qualify for a state pension and health care. He met the requirement by stringing together 10 years of public work dating to 1972, when he became a Cleveland councilman.
Former Sheriff Gerald McFaul charged with theft in office, ethics violation
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gerald McFaul spent three decades keeping criminals locked up as the county's chief law man, but Tuesday he will return to the Justice Center as a defendant.
The nine-term sheriff was charged Friday with The special prosecutor brought in to push the case acknowledged that the investigation was based on reporting done by The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gerald McFaul spent three decades keeping criminals locked up as the county's chief law man, but Tuesday he will return to the Justice Center as a defendant.
The nine-term sheriff was charged Friday with The special prosecutor brought in to push the case acknowledged that the investigation was based on reporting done by The Plain Dealer
Bill Mason's prosecution of Bedford Heights contractor accused of bilking schools raises questions after all charges dropped
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced in 2008 that a Bedford Heights electrical contractor had been charged with the biggest school construction billing scam in Ohio history, one that threatened to put the firm's president in prison for the rest of his life and cost the company more than a half million dollars in fines.
But 18 months later, all charges have been dismissed.
No one will go to prison.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced in 2008 that a Bedford Heights electrical contractor had been charged with the biggest school construction billing scam in Ohio history, one that threatened to put the firm's president in prison for the rest of his life and cost the company more than a half million dollars in fines.
But 18 months later, all charges have been dismissed.
No one will go to prison.
Saffold has more than $1,000 in delinquent camera-issued citations and parking tickets
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold has not paid more than $1,000 in fines and late fees for city of Cleveland traffic and parking tickets issued since 2006, records show.
She owes Cleveland $1,040 in fines and late fees for seven camera-issued tickets and one parking ticket, Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk records show. She has so many unpaid fines that police say they could tow her car to an impound lot if they spot it on the street.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold has not paid more than $1,000 in fines and late fees for city of Cleveland traffic and parking tickets issued since 2006, records show.
She owes Cleveland $1,040 in fines and late fees for seven camera-issued tickets and one parking ticket, Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk records show. She has so many unpaid fines that police say they could tow her car to an impound lot if they spot it on the street.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason rehires former consultant as full-time employee
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Days after Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason canceled a no-bid contract with a private contractor, Mason rehired the company's owner as a county employee with an annual salary of $117,000.
He starts again Wednesday as a full-time county employee -- doing the same work -- in the same office.
Mason declined to explain the reason behind rehiring Szigeti, instead issuing a brief written statement through his spokeswoman. Mason has repeatedly declined to discuss controversial issues in his office this year.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Days after Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason canceled a no-bid contract with a private contractor, Mason rehired the company's owner as a county employee with an annual salary of $117,000.
He starts again Wednesday as a full-time county employee -- doing the same work -- in the same office.
Mason declined to explain the reason behind rehiring Szigeti, instead issuing a brief written statement through his spokeswoman. Mason has repeatedly declined to discuss controversial issues in his office this year.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason builds powerful political network in Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Few local politicians in recent decades have understood Cuyahoga County's Democratic Party -- and built the relationships to maneuver within it -- as well as Prosecutor Bill Mason.
In November, with the county mired in a federal corruption investigation that continues to this day, Mason broke with the party leadership and championed Issue 6. It won by a margin of 2-to-1, and in 2011 will eliminate eight of the county's elected offices and replace them with a county executive.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Few local politicians in recent decades have understood Cuyahoga County's Democratic Party -- and built the relationships to maneuver within it -- as well as Prosecutor Bill Mason.
In November, with the county mired in a federal corruption investigation that continues to this day, Mason broke with the party leadership and championed Issue 6. It won by a margin of 2-to-1, and in 2011 will eliminate eight of the county's elected offices and replace them with a county executive.
Cuyahoga County judge orders arrest of Plain Dealer reporter, wants to know source of story on murder suspect Anthony Sowell
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold ordered the arrest of a Plain Dealer reporter Tuesday after he failed to appear at an abruptly scheduled hearing to determine how the newspaper obtained a psychiatric evaluation of serial-killing suspect Anthony Sowell.
The hearing on Tuesday came more than four months after reporter Gabriel Baird based a Nov. 6 story on the 2005 evaluation, which concluded that Sowell was unlikely to assault women after he served 15 years in prison for attempted rape. The medical report contained details of Sowell's childhood and the years he spent in prison after being convicted of sexual assault in 1989.
The hearing on Tuesday came more than four months after reporter Gabriel Baird based a Nov. 6 story on the 2005 evaluation, which concluded that Sowell was unlikely to assault women after he served 15 years in prison for attempted rape. The medical report contained details of Sowell's childhood and the years he spent in prison after being convicted of sexual assault in 1989.
Sheriff awards contract to company with ties to his aide
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office gave a clothing contract to a company run by an acquaintance of Sheriff Bob Reid's top spokesman.
The move comes less than a year after Reid took office and promised to change the culture of the Sheriff's Office, where his predecessor promoted relatives and doled out work to political supporters.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office gave a clothing contract to a company run by an acquaintance of Sheriff Bob Reid's top spokesman.
The move comes less than a year after Reid took office and promised to change the culture of the Sheriff's Office, where his predecessor promoted relatives and doled out work to political supporters.
Cleveland will spend big money to turn off the lights
CLEVELAND, Ohio — After turning the lights on in 1976 at Cleveland police headquarters, officials still can't shut them off.
Light switches were never installed.
That will change after the city pays consultants to install switches in parts of the nine-story building downtown and make energy improvements in other city buildings.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — After turning the lights on in 1976 at Cleveland police headquarters, officials still can't shut them off.
Light switches were never installed.
That will change after the city pays consultants to install switches in parts of the nine-story building downtown and make energy improvements in other city buildings.
Prosecutor Bill Mason hasn't prosecuted ex-lawyer who misappropriated $300,000
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason has known Christopher McCauley for two decades: Mason was in McCauley's law school class in the 1980s, rented office space from him in the 1990s, represented him in a 1997 foreclosure, paid him for campaign work in 2002 and 2003 and employed him in the prosecutor's office in 2004 and 2005.
What he has not done is prosecute him, even though the Ohio Supreme Court's disciplinary arm ruled that McCauley misappropriated more than $300,000 from his clients and kept it for his own use -- partly while in Mason's employment.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason has known Christopher McCauley for two decades: Mason was in McCauley's law school class in the 1980s, rented office space from him in the 1990s, represented him in a 1997 foreclosure, paid him for campaign work in 2002 and 2003 and employed him in the prosecutor's office in 2004 and 2005.
What he has not done is prosecute him, even though the Ohio Supreme Court's disciplinary arm ruled that McCauley misappropriated more than $300,000 from his clients and kept it for his own use -- partly while in Mason's employment.
County computer consultant set up re-election Web site for Bill Mason
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A company owned by one of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's former employees has collected $1.1 million through a no-bid contract to oversee computer operations in Mason's office.
Szignature Systems, owned by Peter Szigeti, got the contract in 2003, a few weeks after he quit his job working for the prosecutor as a computer systems expert.
Then, a few weeks after he got the contract, Szigeti privately set up a Web site for Mason's re-election campaign, a site the prosecutor still uses to raise money.
Szigeti's ties to Mason and how he got the 2003 contract have become significant because Szigeti also has ties to a company at the center of a showdown between Mason and Common Pleas Court judges.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A company owned by one of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's former employees has collected $1.1 million through a no-bid contract to oversee computer operations in Mason's office.
Szignature Systems, owned by Peter Szigeti, got the contract in 2003, a few weeks after he quit his job working for the prosecutor as a computer systems expert.
Then, a few weeks after he got the contract, Szigeti privately set up a Web site for Mason's re-election campaign, a site the prosecutor still uses to raise money.
Szigeti's ties to Mason and how he got the 2003 contract have become significant because Szigeti also has ties to a company at the center of a showdown between Mason and Common Pleas Court judges.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason was passenger of accused drunken driver
Prosecutor Bill Mason, the top enforcer of justice in Cuyahoga County, was a passenger in a car early last week when the driver -- Mason's campaign treasurer -- was pulled over and charged with drunken driving in Seven Hills.
Police gave Mason a courtesy ride home while they took his friend, Parma City Councilman Tom Regas, to the police station for booking. Regas failed a roadside sobriety test after being pulled over at 1:19 a.m. on Dec. 30. He refused to submit to a breath alcohol test, resulting in an automatic one-year license suspension.
No police report identifies Mason as the passenger, but when a reporter knocked on his door Friday night to explain that a Seven Hills police sergeant had named him as the passenger, he acknowledged his presence.
"I was the passenger in the car," he said. "I have nothing else to say."
Prosecutor Bill Mason, the top enforcer of justice in Cuyahoga County, was a passenger in a car early last week when the driver -- Mason's campaign treasurer -- was pulled over and charged with drunken driving in Seven Hills.
Police gave Mason a courtesy ride home while they took his friend, Parma City Councilman Tom Regas, to the police station for booking. Regas failed a roadside sobriety test after being pulled over at 1:19 a.m. on Dec. 30. He refused to submit to a breath alcohol test, resulting in an automatic one-year license suspension.
No police report identifies Mason as the passenger, but when a reporter knocked on his door Friday night to explain that a Seven Hills police sergeant had named him as the passenger, he acknowledged his presence.
"I was the passenger in the car," he said. "I have nothing else to say."
Dottie Finnegan, secretary for U.S. attorney's Organized Crime Strike Force, retiring after 28 years of guarding secrets
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dottie Finnegan isn't a household name in Cleveland, but she knows the deepest secrets about the most high-profile crimes and investigations of the last three decades in Northeast Ohio.
The head secretary at the U.S. attorney's Organized Crime Strike Force is retiring after 28 years of coordinating paperwork for prosecutors and federal agents. The team started by targeting the Mafia and organized crime but in recent years has focused on political corruption.
Finnegan types the search warrants, subpoenas and indictments before agents serve them. Family and friends have tried to pry the details, but she has never shared the lowdown.
"I am so used to saying, 'I can neither confirm nor deny,' " she said, chuckling. "I am a vault. Leaks would be the worst thing."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dottie Finnegan isn't a household name in Cleveland, but she knows the deepest secrets about the most high-profile crimes and investigations of the last three decades in Northeast Ohio.
The head secretary at the U.S. attorney's Organized Crime Strike Force is retiring after 28 years of coordinating paperwork for prosecutors and federal agents. The team started by targeting the Mafia and organized crime but in recent years has focused on political corruption.
Finnegan types the search warrants, subpoenas and indictments before agents serve them. Family and friends have tried to pry the details, but she has never shared the lowdown.
"I am so used to saying, 'I can neither confirm nor deny,' " she said, chuckling. "I am a vault. Leaks would be the worst thing."
Cuyahoga deputies short-handed as they check on sex offenders
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County has the most sex offenders in Ohio, but only two full-time deputies regularly check on the 1,416 people considered the worst offenders.
Other large Ohio counties have fewer offenders than Cuyahoga's 3,300 but use more deputies to perform the state-mandated address verifications for Tier III offenders such as rapists. Franklin County uses five; Summit and Hamilton counties each use four.
Residents on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland never knew Anthony Sowell was a convicted sex offender until police unearthed 11 bodies from his property.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County has the most sex offenders in Ohio, but only two full-time deputies regularly check on the 1,416 people considered the worst offenders.
Other large Ohio counties have fewer offenders than Cuyahoga's 3,300 but use more deputies to perform the state-mandated address verifications for Tier III offenders such as rapists. Franklin County uses five; Summit and Hamilton counties each use four.
Residents on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland never knew Anthony Sowell was a convicted sex offender until police unearthed 11 bodies from his property.
Police in North Carolina review cold cases for connections to Anthony Sowell
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Law enforcement officials in eastern North Carolina near two Marine Corps bases are checking unsolved rapes and homicides for connections to Anthony Sowell.
The 50-year-old Cleveland man suspected of being a serial killer spent more than four years stationed near Camp Lejeune and an air base in Havelock.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Law enforcement officials in eastern North Carolina near two Marine Corps bases are checking unsolved rapes and homicides for connections to Anthony Sowell.
The 50-year-old Cleveland man suspected of being a serial killer spent more than four years stationed near Camp Lejeune and an air base in Havelock.
Police discover at least 10 victims at Anthony Sowell's home
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police have discovered four bodies and the remains of a fifth this afternoon at the home of Anthony Sowell, bringing the total body count to 11.
Sowell's home on Imperial Avenue now ranks among the deadliest crime scenes in Cleveland history.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police have discovered four bodies and the remains of a fifth this afternoon at the home of Anthony Sowell, bringing the total body count to 11.
Sowell's home on Imperial Avenue now ranks among the deadliest crime scenes in Cleveland history.
Anthony Sowell, suspect in murders on Cleveland's East Side, arrested walking near home
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Although Anthony Sowell eluded police for nearly two days, authorities didn't believe he would stray from the city's southeast side.
They were right.
Sowell was arrested while walking on Mount Auburn Avenue on Saturday afternoon, about one mile from his home on Imperial Avenue, where police had spent two days digging up the remains of six people. It appears to be one of the worst mass killings in Northeast Ohio history.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Although Anthony Sowell eluded police for nearly two days, authorities didn't believe he would stray from the city's southeast side.
They were right.
Sowell was arrested while walking on Mount Auburn Avenue on Saturday afternoon, about one mile from his home on Imperial Avenue, where police had spent two days digging up the remains of six people. It appears to be one of the worst mass killings in Northeast Ohio history.
Six bodies found at Anthony Sowell's house, police sources say
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scores of law enforcement officers continued their search for convicted sex offender Anthony Sowell Friday night, while investigators temporarily ended their work at Sowell's home after finding the bodies of possibly six people inside and outside the house.
Investigators intend to continue digging at the Imperial Avenue property today in a search for more bodies. Sowell, 50, has lived in the home since 2005.
Police found two of the bodies on Thursday. When a third was discovered Friday afternoon in the basement's dirt floor, it triggered a more extensive search. Vans from the coroner's office were lined up outside the East Side house as a cadaver dog sniffed at patches of yard without grass.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scores of law enforcement officers continued their search for convicted sex offender Anthony Sowell Friday night, while investigators temporarily ended their work at Sowell's home after finding the bodies of possibly six people inside and outside the house.
Investigators intend to continue digging at the Imperial Avenue property today in a search for more bodies. Sowell, 50, has lived in the home since 2005.
Police found two of the bodies on Thursday. When a third was discovered Friday afternoon in the basement's dirt floor, it triggered a more extensive search. Vans from the coroner's office were lined up outside the East Side house as a cadaver dog sniffed at patches of yard without grass.
Former Cuyahoga County sheriff Gerald McFaul's influence still under investigation
Former Sheriff Gerald McFaul no longer wields power in Cuyahoga County politics, but state and federal agents are still probing signs of his influence on the county's payroll.
Among the things drawing their attention are how McFaul's grandson got a job with the county engineer's office, how a friend of County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo got hired by McFaul and campaign donations made by appraisers McFaul hired.
Recent plea agreements in the massive corruption probe of Cuyahoga County government show that many friends and relatives of county officials landed jobs at the engineer's office in exchange for cash bribes and other favors.
Former Sheriff Gerald McFaul no longer wields power in Cuyahoga County politics, but state and federal agents are still probing signs of his influence on the county's payroll.
Among the things drawing their attention are how McFaul's grandson got a job with the county engineer's office, how a friend of County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo got hired by McFaul and campaign donations made by appraisers McFaul hired.
Recent plea agreements in the massive corruption probe of Cuyahoga County government show that many friends and relatives of county officials landed jobs at the engineer's office in exchange for cash bribes and other favors.
Cleveland's Clerk of Courts, Earle Turner, is spending more time at work
Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner came to his office at the Justice Center more frequently in June and worked longer days than he did in the previous 18 months.
A Plain Dealer investigation published June 7 revealed Turner averaged about seven hours per week in the office in 2008. In only three months of 2008 did he work from his office for more than 40 hours in an entire month, the newspaper investigation showed.
The Democrat spent about 121 hours in his office in June -- about 30 hours a week -- according to parking records at the Justice Center.
Turner and his spokesman did not return calls seeking comment.
Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner came to his office at the Justice Center more frequently in June and worked longer days than he did in the previous 18 months.
A Plain Dealer investigation published June 7 revealed Turner averaged about seven hours per week in the office in 2008. In only three months of 2008 did he work from his office for more than 40 hours in an entire month, the newspaper investigation showed.
The Democrat spent about 121 hours in his office in June -- about 30 hours a week -- according to parking records at the Justice Center.
Turner and his spokesman did not return calls seeking comment.
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora calls for U.S. Justice Department to investigate the motives behind the local corruption probe
CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora accused the U.S. Department of Justice of launching its local public corruption probe two years ago in a conspiracy with Republicans to undermine the Democratic turnout for Barack Obama.
Dimora said he and his lawyers will ask for a federal investigation into the motives behind the corruption probe, which became public last July when FBI agents raided the commissioner's home and office and the home and office of political ally Frank Russo, the county auditor.
CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora accused the U.S. Department of Justice of launching its local public corruption probe two years ago in a conspiracy with Republicans to undermine the Democratic turnout for Barack Obama.
Dimora said he and his lawyers will ask for a federal investigation into the motives behind the corruption probe, which became public last July when FBI agents raided the commissioner's home and office and the home and office of political ally Frank Russo, the county auditor.
Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner worked in his office just 84 days last year, records show
Most public employees in Cleveland work about 240 days each year, but Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner worked in his office just 84 days in 2008, a Plain Dealer investigation shows.
Turner averaged about seven hours in the office per week last year, according to parking records at the Justice Center. In only three months of that year did he work from his office for more than 40 hours in an entire month.
Most public employees in Cleveland work about 240 days each year, but Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner worked in his office just 84 days in 2008, a Plain Dealer investigation shows.
Turner averaged about seven hours in the office per week last year, according to parking records at the Justice Center. In only three months of that year did he work from his office for more than 40 hours in an entire month.
Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle Turner hired 127 clerks without giving civil service test
Cleveland Municipal Clerk of Courts Earle Turner has hired 127 clerks since taking office in 1996, but none of them have taken a civil service test.
Turner, like his predecessors, got around the test by designating them as "chief deputy" clerks. The title exempts them under state law from having to take a civil service test, an exam developed to take politics out of the hiring process.
Clerks for the municipal courts in Akron, Toledo, Dayton and Columbus each have one to four chief deputy clerks, officials said. Cleveland has 166.
The employees -- from Turner's chief of staff through rank-and-file secretaries -- earn $10 to $38 an hour. None took an entrance examination.
Cleveland Municipal Clerk of Courts Earle Turner has hired 127 clerks since taking office in 1996, but none of them have taken a civil service test.
Turner, like his predecessors, got around the test by designating them as "chief deputy" clerks. The title exempts them under state law from having to take a civil service test, an exam developed to take politics out of the hiring process.
Clerks for the municipal courts in Akron, Toledo, Dayton and Columbus each have one to four chief deputy clerks, officials said. Cleveland has 166.
The employees -- from Turner's chief of staff through rank-and-file secretaries -- earn $10 to $38 an hour. None took an entrance examination.
New sheriff cleans house: 3 McFaul aides forced out
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid began his first full day in office Friday by forcing out three top law-enforcement aides to former Sheriff Gerald McFaul.
Chief Deputy Doug Burkhart was asked to retire and Inspector Robert Havranek and Capt. Reginald Eakins were asked to resign. A fourth aide, Personnel Director Grace Lynch, requested a medical leave until July 1 and will not return, Reid said.
"This department is going in another direction," Reid said. "They are not going to be a part of that direction."
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid began his first full day in office Friday by forcing out three top law-enforcement aides to former Sheriff Gerald McFaul.
Chief Deputy Doug Burkhart was asked to retire and Inspector Robert Havranek and Capt. Reginald Eakins were asked to resign. A fourth aide, Personnel Director Grace Lynch, requested a medical leave until July 1 and will not return, Reid said.
"This department is going in another direction," Reid said. "They are not going to be a part of that direction."
Cuyahoga County interim sheriff walked into a mess and has been cleaning up ever since
CLEVELAND — Frank Bova had no idea what to expect in March when he agreed to serve as the Cuyahoga County sheriff for 45 days.
He second-guessed his decision while driving downtown to take the oath of office. He didn't think taking the law enforcement equivalent of a temporary job was a big deal -- until he saw a pack of reporters waiting in the Justice Center lobby.
"I knew the Sheriff's Office had problems," Bova said. "I didn't truly know how much until I got down here and looked for myself. I knew I could make difference."
CLEVELAND — Frank Bova had no idea what to expect in March when he agreed to serve as the Cuyahoga County sheriff for 45 days.
He second-guessed his decision while driving downtown to take the oath of office. He didn't think taking the law enforcement equivalent of a temporary job was a big deal -- until he saw a pack of reporters waiting in the Justice Center lobby.
"I knew the Sheriff's Office had problems," Bova said. "I didn't truly know how much until I got down here and looked for myself. I knew I could make difference."
Search warrant details extent of investigation into Sheriff Gerald McFaul
CLEVELAND — State agents who raided Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul's office on Thursday were seeking records and evidence of the same improprieties detailed in stories published by The Plain Dealer.
Agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation searched McFaul's office and those of his top staff, looking for records from his clambake fund-raiser. Investigators also sought records, journals and logs related to thousands of dollars in cash gifts given to McFaul for his birthday and at Christmas.
CLEVELAND — State agents who raided Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul's office on Thursday were seeking records and evidence of the same improprieties detailed in stories published by The Plain Dealer.
Agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation searched McFaul's office and those of his top staff, looking for records from his clambake fund-raiser. Investigators also sought records, journals and logs related to thousands of dollars in cash gifts given to McFaul for his birthday and at Christmas.
State agents raid Sheriff McFaul's office
CLEVELAND — State agents raided the office of outgoing Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul Thursday afternoon, searching for evidence that the sheriff broke the law when he had employees raise money for him.
Investigators focused on "allegations that there were some improprieties concerning the clambakes," said Special Agent Gerry Mroczkowski with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
The Plain Dealer reported last month that since 2002, employees had raised nearly $184,000 selling tickets to McFaul's annual clambake, which served as his main political fund-raiser for nearly 30 years. Many of the tickets were sold in courtrooms and in the Justice Center while the deputies were on duty.
CLEVELAND — State agents raided the office of outgoing Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul Thursday afternoon, searching for evidence that the sheriff broke the law when he had employees raise money for him.
Investigators focused on "allegations that there were some improprieties concerning the clambakes," said Special Agent Gerry Mroczkowski with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
The Plain Dealer reported last month that since 2002, employees had raised nearly $184,000 selling tickets to McFaul's annual clambake, which served as his main political fund-raiser for nearly 30 years. Many of the tickets were sold in courtrooms and in the Justice Center while the deputies were on duty.
Sheriff Gerald McFaul resigns amid questions about cash
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul resigned Wednesday afternoon following three months of Plain Dealer stories that spawned a criminal investigation and detailed a wide range of misconduct in his office.
The resignation came about 30 minutes after the newspaper asked his office about the latest set of allegations: that he accepted birthday and Christmas cards stuffed with cash from employees.
The 32-year sheriff cited failing health as the reason for his resignation, which will take effect April 1.
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul resigned Wednesday afternoon following three months of Plain Dealer stories that spawned a criminal investigation and detailed a wide range of misconduct in his office.
The resignation came about 30 minutes after the newspaper asked his office about the latest set of allegations: that he accepted birthday and Christmas cards stuffed with cash from employees.
The 32-year sheriff cited failing health as the reason for his resignation, which will take effect April 1.
Former Cuyahoga County sheriff's deputy paid $6,500 each for 2 military rifles too powerful to use
CLEVELAND -- Two high-powered rifles generally used to battle insurgents in Iraq or Afghanistan sit in the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office collecting dust.
The .50-caliber rifles are rarely even practice-fired, since they're too powerful for most ranges in the state. Designed to puncture steel and destroy engines, the rifles are better suited for soldiers, not SWAT officers, law enforcement officials said.
The rifles, worth about $6,500 each, are among the $500,000 worth of weapons and equipment that a high-ranking member of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office bought mainly for the SWAT team in 2004. The purchases were made without approval, Sheriff Gerald McFaul said.
CLEVELAND -- Two high-powered rifles generally used to battle insurgents in Iraq or Afghanistan sit in the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office collecting dust.
The .50-caliber rifles are rarely even practice-fired, since they're too powerful for most ranges in the state. Designed to puncture steel and destroy engines, the rifles are better suited for soldiers, not SWAT officers, law enforcement officials said.
The rifles, worth about $6,500 each, are among the $500,000 worth of weapons and equipment that a high-ranking member of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office bought mainly for the SWAT team in 2004. The purchases were made without approval, Sheriff Gerald McFaul said.
Sheriff Gerald McFaul has averaged 1 day per week in his office since 2007
CLEVELAND -- Sheriff Gerald McFaul has come into the office only about one day a week since 2007, county timesheets show.
There have been 115 weeks from Jan. 1, 2007, through Friday. McFaul has worked in his Justice Center office 136 days since then. County timesheets show he worked from home 353 days during that time.
McFaul recently told The Plain Dealer he is in the office four to five days a week.
"I'm here all the time," McFaul said last month. "I'm never gone for extended periods."
CLEVELAND -- Sheriff Gerald McFaul has come into the office only about one day a week since 2007, county timesheets show.
There have been 115 weeks from Jan. 1, 2007, through Friday. McFaul has worked in his Justice Center office 136 days since then. County timesheets show he worked from home 353 days during that time.
McFaul recently told The Plain Dealer he is in the office four to five days a week.
"I'm here all the time," McFaul said last month. "I'm never gone for extended periods."
Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office intervened in Bedford Heights domestic dispute, records show
CLEVELAND -- The Bedford Heights police chief wanted to prosecute a deputy sheriff who threatened to kill four patrolmen, but the charges were never filed after officials from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office intervened, records show.
Sheriff's Lt. Robert Chilton told four Bedford Heights officers he would kill them during a drunken rage after his wife called 9-1-1 and said her husband hit her in June 2007.
Bedford Heights Police Chief Tim Kalavsky told sheriff's officials he planned to seek criminal charges against Chilton in Bedford Municipal Court because of the threats and the numerous incidents at Chilton's house.
The Sheriff's Office asked to handle the case.
CLEVELAND -- The Bedford Heights police chief wanted to prosecute a deputy sheriff who threatened to kill four patrolmen, but the charges were never filed after officials from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office intervened, records show.
Sheriff's Lt. Robert Chilton told four Bedford Heights officers he would kill them during a drunken rage after his wife called 9-1-1 and said her husband hit her in June 2007.
Bedford Heights Police Chief Tim Kalavsky told sheriff's officials he planned to seek criminal charges against Chilton in Bedford Municipal Court because of the threats and the numerous incidents at Chilton's house.
The Sheriff's Office asked to handle the case.
Toledo ex-cop to head probe of Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul
CLEVELAND -- A former lawman from Toledo who now handles high-profile cases there will determine whether Sheriff Gerald McFaul broke the law when he asked a witness not to testify against him in 1986.
Jeffrey Lingo, a senior prosecutor in Lucas County, helped put Republican fund-raiser Tom Noe behind bars in 2006. Noe stole more than $1 million worth of coins from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation in the scandal dubbed "Coingate."
Lingo, a former police officer and sheriff's deputy, has been a prosecutor since 1991. He works on major trials, usually focusing on murder and rape cases.
CLEVELAND -- A former lawman from Toledo who now handles high-profile cases there will determine whether Sheriff Gerald McFaul broke the law when he asked a witness not to testify against him in 1986.
Jeffrey Lingo, a senior prosecutor in Lucas County, helped put Republican fund-raiser Tom Noe behind bars in 2006. Noe stole more than $1 million worth of coins from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation in the scandal dubbed "Coingate."
Lingo, a former police officer and sheriff's deputy, has been a prosecutor since 1991. He works on major trials, usually focusing on murder and rape cases.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul to be investigated by special prosecutor
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul could face criminal charges 23 years after telling an employee how to avoid a subpoena so she wouldn't have to testify against him, prosecutors say.
County Prosecutor Bill Mason plans to appoint a special prosecutor to determine whether McFaul's actions, first detailed in The Plain Dealer on Thursday, violated any laws.
"My office reviewed a copy of the transcript [Thursday] pertaining to Sheriff McFaul's conversation with a subpoenaed witness in a civil lawsuit brought against him," Mason said in an e-mailed statement. "There is sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal investigation into the sheriff's conduct."
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul could face criminal charges 23 years after telling an employee how to avoid a subpoena so she wouldn't have to testify against him, prosecutors say.
County Prosecutor Bill Mason plans to appoint a special prosecutor to determine whether McFaul's actions, first detailed in The Plain Dealer on Thursday, violated any laws.
"My office reviewed a copy of the transcript [Thursday] pertaining to Sheriff McFaul's conversation with a subpoenaed witness in a civil lawsuit brought against him," Mason said in an e-mailed statement. "There is sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal investigation into the sheriff's conduct."
Tapes show Sheriff Gerald McFaul talked to potential witness in sexual-harassment suit
CLEVELAND -- In the midst of a sexual-harassment trial in 1986, Sheriff Gerald McFaul told an employee he was dating at the time how to dodge a subpoena so she wouldn't have to testify against him, according to tapes of secretly recorded telephone calls.
The Plain Dealer obtained the 23-year-old tapes from the woman McFaul had been dating, on the condition that she not be identified. The woman was issued a subpoena as a witness for Ruth Anne Arendt, who had sued McFaul on a sexual-harassment claim.
The woman never testified. A subpoena for her was delivered to the sheriff's office, where she worked as a supervisor. The woman never received the subpoena because she used vacation time to stay home, following the advice given to her by McFaul.
A Cuyahoga County jury cleared McFaul a week after the woman was scheduled to testify.
CLEVELAND -- In the midst of a sexual-harassment trial in 1986, Sheriff Gerald McFaul told an employee he was dating at the time how to dodge a subpoena so she wouldn't have to testify against him, according to tapes of secretly recorded telephone calls.
The Plain Dealer obtained the 23-year-old tapes from the woman McFaul had been dating, on the condition that she not be identified. The woman was issued a subpoena as a witness for Ruth Anne Arendt, who had sued McFaul on a sexual-harassment claim.
The woman never testified. A subpoena for her was delivered to the sheriff's office, where she worked as a supervisor. The woman never received the subpoena because she used vacation time to stay home, following the advice given to her by McFaul.
A Cuyahoga County jury cleared McFaul a week after the woman was scheduled to testify.
Appraisers appointed by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul donated to his campaign
CLEVELAND — Thirty-six real estate appraisers appointed by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul have earned $7.7 million and donated more than $100,000 to the sheriff's campaign since 2002, records show.
Most of the appraisers work only two days a week on county business but earned between $50,000 and $62,000 last year. Some run private, full-time appraisal businesses, but the roster also includes several politically connected people, including a former congressman, former mayors of Lakewood and Euclid, and several former or current suburban councilmen and Democratic Party activists.
CLEVELAND — Thirty-six real estate appraisers appointed by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul have earned $7.7 million and donated more than $100,000 to the sheriff's campaign since 2002, records show.
Most of the appraisers work only two days a week on county business but earned between $50,000 and $62,000 last year. Some run private, full-time appraisal businesses, but the roster also includes several politically connected people, including a former congressman, former mayors of Lakewood and Euclid, and several former or current suburban councilmen and Democratic Party activists.
Sheriff's employees sold tickets for fund-raiser
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County sheriff's employees have raised nearly $184,000 for Sheriff Gerald McFaul since 2002 by selling or buying tickets to his annual clambake fund-raiser.
Many employees sell the tickets while performing public work and also list themselves as the contributor, omitting the name of the actual buyer.
Ohio law prohibits public employees from performing campaign activities while working and bans people from making campaign contributions in the name of another person.
Campaign records show that numerous judges have bought tickets since 2002, and some said they have purchased the tickets from deputies working in courtrooms.
CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County sheriff's employees have raised nearly $184,000 for Sheriff Gerald McFaul since 2002 by selling or buying tickets to his annual clambake fund-raiser.
Many employees sell the tickets while performing public work and also list themselves as the contributor, omitting the name of the actual buyer.
Ohio law prohibits public employees from performing campaign activities while working and bans people from making campaign contributions in the name of another person.
Campaign records show that numerous judges have bought tickets since 2002, and some said they have purchased the tickets from deputies working in courtrooms.
Sheriff Gerald McFaul is assigned two county cars, has deputy do driving
CLEVELAND -- Sheriff Gerald McFaul can drive only one car at a time, but he is assigned two county vehicles -- a Cadillac and a Buick.
McFaul usually rolls to the Justice Center in a 1996 Cadillac DeVille seized from a drug dealer about 10 years ago.
"It's good on gas," he said. "It's a nice car. It looks good. There is no showboating about it."
CLEVELAND -- Sheriff Gerald McFaul can drive only one car at a time, but he is assigned two county vehicles -- a Cadillac and a Buick.
McFaul usually rolls to the Justice Center in a 1996 Cadillac DeVille seized from a drug dealer about 10 years ago.
"It's good on gas," he said. "It's a nice car. It looks good. There is no showboating about it."
Cuyahoga Sheriff Gerald McFaul Sr. made son a special deputy to help him out
Sheriff Gerald McFaul Sr. made his son a special deputy in 1998 so the younger McFaul could get part-time security work while wearing a Cuyahoga County sheriff's uniform.
Gerald McFaul Jr. completed a police academy and state certification test at Cuyahoga Community College in December 1997 but did not immediately land a police job.
"He was looking for a job," McFaul Sr. said Friday.
So the sheriff made him a special deputy in February 1998 and McFaul Jr. was hired by Tenable Protective Services to work private security jobs approved by the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Gerald McFaul Sr. made his son a special deputy in 1998 so the younger McFaul could get part-time security work while wearing a Cuyahoga County sheriff's uniform.
Gerald McFaul Jr. completed a police academy and state certification test at Cuyahoga Community College in December 1997 but did not immediately land a police job.
"He was looking for a job," McFaul Sr. said Friday.
So the sheriff made him a special deputy in February 1998 and McFaul Jr. was hired by Tenable Protective Services to work private security jobs approved by the Sheriff's Office.
Cuyahoga County sheriff's official votes to give her son raises
Sheriff Gerald McFaul's chief of staff voted to give her son two pay raises at Cuyahoga County's Information Services Center, according to records.
Patricia Kresty, McFaul's representative on the Automated Data Processing Board, voted to approve raises totaling $12,358 for Justin Kresty in 2003 and 2004.
County officials said Friday that Kresty should have recused herself from the vote. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis thinks the vote may have violated state law.
"If it did happen, she should be subject to termination," he said. "It's a violation of Ohio's ethics laws."
Sheriff Gerald McFaul's chief of staff voted to give her son two pay raises at Cuyahoga County's Information Services Center, according to records.
Patricia Kresty, McFaul's representative on the Automated Data Processing Board, voted to approve raises totaling $12,358 for Justin Kresty in 2003 and 2004.
County officials said Friday that Kresty should have recused herself from the vote. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis thinks the vote may have violated state law.
"If it did happen, she should be subject to termination," he said. "It's a violation of Ohio's ethics laws."
Sheriff Gerald McFaul's niece resigns as deputy after doing private security work during leave
Sheriff's Lt. Theresa Shaffer, the niece of Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul, resigned from her job Thursday after The Plain Dealer learned she broke the rules by working as a security guard while she was on leave for an injury.
Shaffer did the private security work after applying for workers' compensation payments for an injury she suffered on her job as a deputy.
Sheriff's Lt. Theresa Shaffer, the niece of Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul, resigned from her job Thursday after The Plain Dealer learned she broke the rules by working as a security guard while she was on leave for an injury.
Shaffer did the private security work after applying for workers' compensation payments for an injury she suffered on her job as a deputy.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul gives raises to niece, friends amid 21 layoffs
After Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul told 21 people on Friday that they were being laid off, he handed out big raises to seven people, including his niece, his son's best friend and a good friend from a VFW post.
The longtime sheriff also confirmed Saturday that he hired his son-in-law in 2006 as a security monitor. Louis Vincelli is now a garage superintendent and has been given more than a 100 percent pay raise to wash, fuel and supervise a fleet of vehicles and oversee two employees.
After Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul told 21 people on Friday that they were being laid off, he handed out big raises to seven people, including his niece, his son's best friend and a good friend from a VFW post.
The longtime sheriff also confirmed Saturday that he hired his son-in-law in 2006 as a security monitor. Louis Vincelli is now a garage superintendent and has been given more than a 100 percent pay raise to wash, fuel and supervise a fleet of vehicles and oversee two employees.
Sheriff lays off deputies as county faces budget cuts
CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul said Friday that he will lay off 18 deputies and three other workers.
The layoffs will take effect Jan. 18. They come as Cuyahoga County commissioners are trying to make up a $55 million deficit and have told every office and agency to trim their budgets.
Those cuts will likely affect a wide range of services, including programs that serve troubled youths, needy families and other services disadvantaged citizens.
CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul said Friday that he will lay off 18 deputies and three other workers.
The layoffs will take effect Jan. 18. They come as Cuyahoga County commissioners are trying to make up a $55 million deficit and have told every office and agency to trim their budgets.
Those cuts will likely affect a wide range of services, including programs that serve troubled youths, needy families and other services disadvantaged citizens.
Cleveland Councilman Joe Santiago under scrutiny for help to bars
Joe Santiago's first big deed as city councilman helped get a liquor permit for a bar managed by a convicted heroin dealer, records show.
People who lived near Clark Avenue and West 25th Street feared La Copa would bring loud music and rowdy crowds. But Santiago, in his first month on the job in January 2006, wrote to state officials to assure them the sports bar would help revitalize a struggling strip on Cleveland's near West Side.
Joe Santiago's first big deed as city councilman helped get a liquor permit for a bar managed by a convicted heroin dealer, records show.
People who lived near Clark Avenue and West 25th Street feared La Copa would bring loud music and rowdy crowds. But Santiago, in his first month on the job in January 2006, wrote to state officials to assure them the sports bar would help revitalize a struggling strip on Cleveland's near West Side.
Cleveland Vice: Life on the streets
On a Thursday night last month, Cleveland police watched two teenage boys buy marijuana. When police approached, the boys ran down East 112th Street, into back yards and down a wooded ravine.
The police chased the boys into the darkness. It was a routine thing, another night in the life of a beat cop.
A few weeks later, a few miles away, Cleveland Patrolman Derek Owens and his partner spotted four teens drinking beer in an abandoned garage. The teens ran and the police chased.
This time, a 19-year-old pulled a gun and squeezed the trigger, prosecutors say. The slug hit Owens in the abdomen. He died in surgery six hours later, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Whenever police stop a car, kick down a door or confront people on a street corner, they don't know what lurks.
Plain Dealer reporter Mark Puente and photographer John Kuntz spent several days and nights last month riding along with vice units in the city's six police districts. They hoped to get a glimpse of what Cleveland police face.
On a Thursday night last month, Cleveland police watched two teenage boys buy marijuana. When police approached, the boys ran down East 112th Street, into back yards and down a wooded ravine.
The police chased the boys into the darkness. It was a routine thing, another night in the life of a beat cop.
A few weeks later, a few miles away, Cleveland Patrolman Derek Owens and his partner spotted four teens drinking beer in an abandoned garage. The teens ran and the police chased.
This time, a 19-year-old pulled a gun and squeezed the trigger, prosecutors say. The slug hit Owens in the abdomen. He died in surgery six hours later, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Whenever police stop a car, kick down a door or confront people on a street corner, they don't know what lurks.
Plain Dealer reporter Mark Puente and photographer John Kuntz spent several days and nights last month riding along with vice units in the city's six police districts. They hoped to get a glimpse of what Cleveland police face.
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