Cleveland prosecutors seek to keep Jimmy Dimora on supervised release

Federal prosecutors in Cleveland filed a formal request on Tuesday asking a judge to deny Jimmy Dimora's bid to end his supervised release early. The former Cuyahoga County commissioner was recently granted a reduction in his prison sentence but remains under federal supervision for a period of three years.

In an eight-page document submitted to the court, prosecutors described the current supervision as necessary and appropriate. They stated that the sentence should not be altered. The filing argued that the nature of Dimora's crimes and the need to deter future corruption weigh heavily against granting the early termination he requested.

Dimora, 71, submitted a handwritten letter to the judge earlier this month. In the letter, he cited health issues as a reason for the request. He also expressed a desire to move from Ohio to Florida to live with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He asked to be released from supervision 18 months ahead of schedule.

Dimora was convicted in 2012 of using his position to engage in bribery and fraud schemes. Prosecutors said he accepted more than $250,000 in bribes. These benefits included home renovations, expensive dinners, trips, and encounters with prostitutes. He was originally sentenced to 28 years in federal prison. An appeal later reduced that sentence to 23 years.

In December 2024, President Joe Biden commuted the remaining time of Dimora's prison sentence. The commutation left the three-year supervised release term intact. Prosecutors noted that Dimora has already benefited from these prior sentence reductions. They contend that these changes already account for his time served.

Judge Sara Lioi, who presided over the original trial and sentencing, has ordered the Office of Probation to submit its recommendation on the matter by next week. No specific date has been set for a final decision on Dimora's request. The judge will review the probation officer's advice before ruling.

Former Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis supported Dimora's request. Rokakis said he believes Dimora has paid his debt to society. He noted that Dimora has been in some form of prison or jail control since 2010. Rokakis said, 'For some people the answer is it will never be enough. But in my eyes, he has.'