CLEVELAND -
Federal prosecutors basically charged on Tuesday that a former candidate for Cuyahoga County auditor conspired with Auditor Frank Russo to rig an election to ensure Russo would win.
"The investigation of Cuyahoga County government has now gone beyond the corruption of contracts and employment to the corruption of a county election," says Bill Edwards, First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
In a one-count information filed Tuesday, prosecutors charged the former candidate, Joseph Gallucci, with participating in a bribery conspiracy that involved Gallucci "running" for Russo's job.
Prosecutors allege that Gallucci, 42, agreed to run an "ineffective campaign" against Russo in exchange for receiving a job in the auditor's office after the election.
Prior to the 2006 election, prosecutors say Gallucci complained that he needed to find work.
The information says Russo "encouraged Gallucci to stay in the race long enough to preclude the opposing political party [the Republicans] from entering a replacement candidate.
"(Russo) offered to subsidize Gallucci's income until Gallucci began employment with the county."
After the election, prosecutors say Russo hired Gallucci for a job that paid more than $67,000.
Russo is not identified by name in the information filed on Tuesday, but the description of "Public Official 2" listed in the information is of the official "with overall responsibility for all County funds." That matches the job of auditor.
"The investigation of Cuyahoga County government has now gone beyond the corruption of contracts and employment to the corruption of a county election," says Bill Edwards, First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
In a one-count information filed Tuesday, prosecutors charged the former candidate, Joseph Gallucci, with participating in a bribery conspiracy that involved Gallucci "running" for Russo's job.
Prosecutors allege that Gallucci, 42, agreed to run an "ineffective campaign" against Russo in exchange for receiving a job in the auditor's office after the election.
Prior to the 2006 election, prosecutors say Gallucci complained that he needed to find work.
The information says Russo "encouraged Gallucci to stay in the race long enough to preclude the opposing political party [the Republicans] from entering a replacement candidate.
"(Russo) offered to subsidize Gallucci's income until Gallucci began employment with the county."
After the election, prosecutors say Russo hired Gallucci for a job that paid more than $67,000.
Russo is not identified by name in the information filed on Tuesday, but the description of "Public Official 2" listed in the information is of the official "with overall responsibility for all County funds." That matches the job of auditor.
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