It is not a good idea to give government so much money...we know that.
COLUMBUS -- Three former Ohio Department of Transportation officials are accused of steering more than $11 million in state contracts to friends and outside business partners in exchange for cash kickbacks and sexual liaisons with strippers during boating excursions they called "fishing trips."
All three men -- former facilities manager Dennis L. Kratochvil, equipment superintendent Terrence Kosmata and senior purchasing officer Kevin Horrigan -- worked out of ODOT's District 12 office in Garfield Heights, according to a report by the state inspector general's office. Kratochvil oversaw a "sham process" in which he circumvented ODOT's purchasing policy that required competitive quotes for purchases above $1,000, the inspector general found.
Inspector General Tom Charles has referred the case to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office and state Ethics Commission for possible criminal charges.
The allegations cover a period between 2000 and 2007.
According to the report, Kratochvil, Kosmata and Horrigan accepted from vendors fishing and hunting trips to Ohio, Texas and Alaska, hotel rooms and meals in Las Vegas and Cleveland, drinks and lap dances at strip clubs, a private golf club membership and cash.
Kratochvil, the report claims, was infatuated with strippers and lavished them with gifts, including jewelry, furniture and appliances and even paid for a breast augmentation for one woman.
"He also paid strippers for sexual liaisons, which took place during working hours at an Independence motel and in the back of his minivan inside the ODOT garage," the report said. "One stripper has continued to receive money from Kratochvil by duping him into believeing that he is the father of her 4-year-old daughter." |
