CLEVELAND (AP) — A former county auditor's top aide has pleaded guilty in federal court to corruption-related crimes in the Cleveland area.
The former Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County chief deputy auditor pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit bribery and to Hobbs Act conspiracy. Prosecutors say 46-year-old Samir Mohammad also pleaded guilty to witness tampering and making false statements to federal agents.
Among other things, Mohammad was accused of bribing ex-county Auditor Frank Russo to obtain jobs for others and receiving a cash kickback from a county contractor.
A message was left Monday for Mohammad's attorney.
Russo was sentenced earlier to nearly 22 years on 21 corruption-related counts. A prosecutor's spokesman says prosecutors are seeking a reduced sentence for Russo because of his cooperation in the case against other defendants.
