Guilty pleas in Ohio corruption probe

Posted 07 3 2009 1:16PM

CLEVELAND – Two former county government employees in Ohio pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges in an plot to bribe public officials with casino trips, expensive meals and limousine rides in return for steering contracts.

Former Cuyahoga County engineer's office employees J. Kevin Kelley, 39, and Kevin F. Payne, 54, pleaded guilty in consecutive appearances before U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen O'Malley.

Both pleaded guilty to charges filed against them last month by federal prosecutors: 11 counts against Kelley, including bribery conspiracy, fraud and filing false tax returns, and eight against Payne, including bribery conspiracy and filing false tax returns.

Both agreed to cooperate with the high-profile investigation under terms of a plea deal in which the government will recommend sentences at the lower end of federal guidelines. The judge said each could face more than 10 years in prison.

No sentencing dates were set.

Kelley, a former Parma school board member, was the central figure identified in the charges against him, Payne and two co-defendants facing arraignment Thursday.

The FBI has said that county Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is a target of the investigation. Dimora has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing. He has taken a leave as Democratic county chairman for what he said was the good of the party and to take time to defend himself.

The targets of the alleged bribes were identified in court papers only as "Public Official 1" and "Public Official 2." Dimora has acknowledged taking a casino trip that matches details in the federal charges, but said he paid for the vacation arranged after his father died.

Kelley, who had been on paid leave from his $142,000-a-year county job, resigned when the charges were filed against him. Payne is retired from the engineer's office, which maintains highways and bridges.