Cleveland Strip Clubs: 3 charged in probe of Ohio highway agency
3 charged in probe of Ohio highway agency
The Associated Press
Updated 11:41 AM Friday, July 31, 2009
CLEVELAND — Two Ohio Department of Transportation employees and an agency vendor have been charged in Cleveland in a contract-steering corruption investigation.
Cuyahoga (keye-uh-HOH’-guh) County Prosecutor Bill Mason says one ODOT employee was charged Friday with theft and a second with having an unlawful interest in a public contract. The vendor was charged with bribery and attempted tampering.
Mason says at least six other defendants will face charges over the next two weeks.
Seven ODOT employees resigned or were fired last year following a report by the Ohio inspector general outlining nearly $11 million in questionable or improper payments to contractors.
Employees allegedly accepted lap dances at strip clubs, fishing trips and other favors in exchange for steering contracts.