Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner and former county Democratic Party chair Jimmy Dimora has lost his bid for early release from prison because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 64-year-old was on a list of eligible inmates because of an outbreak at the Elkton Correctional Institution. A federal judge rejected Dimora's request for a medical release, noting he has yet to serve half of his 28-year sentence for public corruption.
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A federal judge ruled this week the prison must begin releasing inmates to help with social distancing. The judge says prison officials have made a "minimal effort" to protect at-risk inmates, following last month's order to identify and transfer prisoners due to the spread of COVID-19. Nine inmates have died, and 137 inmates and eight staffers have tested positive.
