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(WJW) – Early Thursday it was announced that President Joe Biden will carry out the largest act of clemency in modern history, including commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes.
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Among those announced departures is former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora. Dimora was convicted in one of the largest corruption scandals in Ohio history.
Back in 2008, a dozen FBI agents raided the Dimoras’ home in Independence. Federal prosecutors said Dimora took more than $166,000 in cash, home improvements, jobs from prostitution and trips to Las Vegas.
Dimora was found guilty of 33 counts, including racketeering, bribery, conspiracy, Hobbs Act conspiracy and tax offenses on May 9, 2012.
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He was initially sentenced to 28 years in prison, but was later sentenced to 23 years. After spending almost 12 years in prison, Dimora was released from state prison to go home. He was released under the CARES Act, which was created during the pandemic. Dimora’s lawyers had tried to get him released during the height of the epidemic because of his health, but the judge rejected his request.
The Associated Press reported that the changes announced on Thursday are for people who have been in prison for at least a year after being released. Prisons were very bad at spreading the virus and some prisoners were released from the unit to stop the spread. At one point, one in five inmates had CCID-19, according to a tally kept by The Associated Press.
Click HERE to see the full Clemency Recipient List.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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