Cost of corruption: Cuyahoga County property appraisals jumped 64% in 10 years, under Frank Russo

People led by David Ellison gather in front of the County Administration Building to call for Auditor Frank Russo's resignation Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in downtown Cleveland. With the passing of Frank Russo, we’re bringing back some of the stories of his rise and fall to remind Cuyahoga County residents of the corruption that dominated county government. This story was originally published in September 2009.

Cuyahoga County’s appraisal contracts with V.A.S. Enterprises are at the heart of federal charges filed Sept. 18 against a top Russo aide and two lawyers linked to the business. Russo has not been charged with a crime nor identified by name in the charges. But descriptions of a corrupt “Public Official 2″ contained in charges against other people match up with no one except Russo. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

The first contract to V.A.S. was for $3.47 million, or $87.19 per property, the highest cost by far for appraisal work in the state at the time, according to Ohio Department of Taxation records. Full property appraisals are done every six years. Three years later, the auditor’s office or a firm it hires does midterm value adjustments.

In Hamilton, the cost per parcel changed by pennies, dropping from $17.87 to $17.81 from the early 2000s through this year. The Hamilton contractor assessed all types of property, with the exception of 18,000 condominiums. The state has approved a new contract for Hamilton County’s next major reappraisal, keeping about the same price per parcel. Unlike Russo, Auditor Dusty Rhodes puts the contract up for bid.

County officials questioned the validity of the appraisals after the charges were filed, reasoning that the bribes tainted the process. “We were able to meet individually with people who had questions,” McCormack said. “If someone had a complaint, I could turn to a staff member and get that person help. We did it on purpose because we knew that it is such an explosive topic, their taxes.”

Russo didn’t pay the appraisal company, the taxpayers paid.

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