FitzGerald talked to FBI about Winterhurst deal
Plain Dealer reporter Henry Gomez today said that Lakewood Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald confirmed that he is Public Official 14 (Po14) who is referenced in the Jimmy Dimora indictment.
Gomez said the mayor indicated he has discussed the Winterhurst matter with the FBI, and that his contact with Dimora was nothing more than a courtesy call. FitzGerald has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to the county corruption case.
The city leases Winterhurst to Ice Land USA, which is owned by William Neiheiser, who was indicted today along with Dimora.
From the Dimora indictment (see the .PDF):
306. It was the object of the conspiracy that DIMORA solicited and accepted things of value, including free and discounted home improvements, materials and financial assistance, from NEIHEISER and Reliance Mechanical, in return for DIMORA using his County position to benefit NEIHEISER, Reliance Mechanical and Winterhurst, both as requested and as future opportunities arose.
On or about March 6, 2008 at approximately 8:15 p.m., DIMORA spoke to P014, who said, “I heard you were lookin’ for me.” DIMORA replied, “Yeah. I was sittin’ here with a friend of mine who’s been tryin’ to get ahold of you and talk to you about your ice rink. He wants to make a proposal to you uh that he thinks will be advantageous to the City and to you if uh you wanted to talk to him and I mean the guy’s…. ” P014 asked if it was NEIHEISER. DIMORA confirmed it was. P014 said that he has been unable to return NEIHEISER’s call because P014 had been in union negotiations. P014 told DIMORA that P014 would “be more than happy to talk to the guy.” DIMORA said, “Okay. Oh, do you want me to tell … I’m sittin’ next to him here but he can’t hear me. Do you want me to tell him like you’ll call him next week or….” P014 told DIMORA to have NEIHEISER call him at 9:30 the following morning and P014 will “make time … I’ll make time … I’ll make time to talk to him.” DIMORA told P014, “If there’s anything we can do, uh, let us know, you know, uh, any help we can provide.” (pg. 95)
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