Former Cuyahoga County Employee Sentenced for His Role in the Cuyahoga County Corruption Investigation

Daniel Weaver, age 45, of Westlake, Ohio, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution for his role in the Cuyahoga County corruption investigation, federal law enforcement officials said today.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a federal program.

Weaver was employed by Cuyahoga County as the director of the Information Services Center (“ISC”) and as secretary of the Automated Data Processing Board (“ADP Board”).

Weaver participated in a bribery conspiracy with former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo, according to court documents. He gave Russo cash (1) with the expectation that Ruso would perform official acts for the benefit of Weaver when specific opportunities arose and (2) so that Russo would be receptive to Weaver’s ideas on specific ISC and ADP Board projects, according to court documents.

Russo knew Weaver had resources aside from his county employment which would enable Weaver to give the Russo cash. Weaver gave things of value to the Russo on his birthday and at Christmas time between 2005 and on or about July 29, 2008. These things of value consisted of cash in amounts of $50 or $100, ties or $100 gift cards, according to court documents.

Russo never gave things of value to Weaver.

In addition to the birthday and Christmas payments described above, Russo asked Weaver for “loans” two to four times per year. Initially, Russo asked Weaver for $30 to $50 for lunch. On later occasions, Russo would say he was going out and needed money, or that he was “short” and needed money. In response, Weaver gave Russo $1,000 to $2,000, which is the amount Weaver had in his possession at the time. Russo often specified an amount when asking Weaver for money. In or about late March 2008, Russo asked Weaver for approximately $1,000. He never repaid the “loans” described above and Weaver did not expect Russo to repay them, according to court documents.

On occasion, Russo called Weaver from restaurants and asked for Weaver’s credit card number to pay for meals. Weaver also purchased a $600 Tiki bar at Russo’s request at had it delivered to Russo’s domestic partner. Additionally, Russo requested and Weaver provided Christmas gifts for Russo’s children and grandchildren, including computers, an Xbox and an iPod, according to court documents.

The total value of payments Weaver made to Russo was approximately $29,000.

That matches the amount of restitution U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi ordered Weaver to pay to Cuyahoga County.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann C. Rowland and Antoinette T. Bacon, following investigation by the Cleveland office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. The investigation is ongoing.