A Cleveland-area businessman has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his role in a bribery scheme involving public officials.
Michael Forlani, 55, of Gates Mills, was sentenced to 97 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi. The sentence includes ordering Forlani to forfeit $900,000 and pay $136,251 in restitution.
The restitution will be paid to Cuyahoga County ($95,129), the Maple Heights City School District ($37,144), and Metro Health Systems ($3,978).
Forlani pleaded guilty last year to RICO conspiracy, Hobbs Act violations, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud, and other charges.
The investigation revealed that Forlani conspired with Jimmy Dimora, Santina Klimkowski, John Carroll, and other public officials between 2002 and 2009. In exchange for their assistance, Forlani and his associated companies provided things of value, such as discounted home improvements, installation of televisions and an outdoor audio/visual system, loge seats for concerts, sporting event tickets, meals and drinks, and other things of value.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon, Henry DeBaggis, and Nancy L. Kelley following an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General.
Forlani was president and majority owner of Doan Pyramid LLC, a minority owner in Neteam, AVI, the sole member of Veterans Development, LLC, a member of the board of managers for Veterans Development Domiciliary, LLC, the sole member of Wade Park Retail, LLC, and the sole owner of Deep Three Partners, LLC, according to court documents.
Related Federal Cases
- Mathew Borges, Racketeering Conspiracy, Ohio 2023 · Washington
- Larry Householder, Racketeering Conspiracy, Ohio 2020 · Florida
- James Todt, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, Ohio 2023 · Washington
- Karen L. Finley, Conspiracy to Commit Federal Programs Bribery and Honest Services Wire and Mail Fraud, Ohio 2015 · Maryland
- Harry A. Radcliffe, III, Conspiracy to Impede IRS, Ohio 2023 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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