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.