Samir Mohammad
15 October 2012. Mohammad’s co-defendant, Sam Qasem, a once-prominent leader in Northeast Ohio’s Arab community, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit racketeering. He had rejected a plea deal in March, but eventually took a deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit bribery, Hobbs Act extortion and conspiracy, tampering with a witness, and lying to federal agents. Mohammad was accused of paying a $20,000 bribe in October 2003 to former County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora with the hope of securing a job as deputy county administrator. Some of the money was used to entertain Dimora at a casino in Canada, prosecutors have said. He failed to get the job. Mohammad also is accused of bribing Russo to obtain jobs for friends and family members and of paying Russo to obtain the job of chief deputy auditor. As part of his plea agreement, he also agreed to forfeit $50,000 that he received as a kickback from a county contractor. Mohammad’s co-defendant, Sam Qasem, a once-prominent leader in Northeast Ohio’s Arab community, also pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit racketeering.
