Related Federal Cases
- Santina Sandy Klimkowski, Bribery and Mail Fraud, Ohio 2018 · Ohio
- Anthony O. Calabrese III, Bribery, Ohio 2009 · Washington
- Steven W. Pumper, Bribery of Programs Receiving Federal Funds, Ohio 2023 · Washington
- James Todt, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, Ohio 2023 · Washington
- Edward R Hills, Bribery and Kickback Scheme, Ohio 2008 · Wisconsin
Cuyahoga County Corruption Scandal Deepens as Former Employee Sentenced to Four Years
A former Cuyahoga County employee and Maple Heights school board member has been sentenced to four years in prison for her role in the Cuyahoga County corruption scandal.
Santina ‘Sandy’ Klimkowski, 61, of Maple Heights, was sentenced today for her involvement in the scheme, which netted her cash and home repairs in exchange for using her position on the school board to steer construction contracts to contractors who paid bribes to her.
Klimkowski pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act conspiracy, bribery, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, making false statements, tax charges, and other crimes after previously participating in a scheme with then-Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo.
The scheme involved contracts for commercial appraisal work going to a company that paid bribes to Russo, a portion of which went to Klimkowski. She was also ordered to pay $270,302 in restitution to Cuyahoga County ($154,000), Maple Heights City Schools ($83,414), and the Internal Revenue Service ($32,888).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy L. Kelley and Antoinette T. Bacon following an investigation by the FBI and IRS – Criminal Investigation.
More than 60 people – including two judges, the county auditor, and a former county commissioner – have been convicted in the federal investigation into corruption in Cuyahoga County, which is the largest county in Ohio and includes Cleveland.
According to Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, Stephen D. Anthony, Klimkowski is yet another individual uncovered in the lengthy public corruption investigation that portrays herself as a public servant while defrauding the citizens of the community.
The FBI and its partners will continue to root out public corruption, bringing the individuals involved to justice, as demonstrated with more than 60 convictions in this investigation.
Klimkowski was sentenced on March 22, 2024, and will serve four years in prison. She is also ordered to pay restitution.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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