Lorain County Sheriff raids county Administration, 911 buildings seeking records

ELYRIA — Investigators from Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall's Public Corruption Unit served search warrants on county computer systems and Lorain County 911 Center on Burns Road on Thursday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. A press conference, where Hall promised more information would be released, is scheduled this afternoon. As many as seven marked Sheriff's cruisers were parked Thursday morning outside Lorain County 911 on Burns Road in Elyria, next to the campus of Lorain County Community College. Parked cruisers blocked the entrances to the parking lot, moving only to allow other Sheriff's vehicles and unmarked cruisers to come and go. Hall first announced the raids Thursday morning on his office's Facebook page. He said deputies from his Public Corruption Unit and computer specialists were involved. "Full operation of county government will continue with no disruption," Hall said in the video. He added that 911 calls "will be handled by dispatchers with no disruption in public service or safety," before thanking the public for its cooperation and patience. Lorain County Prosecutor Tony Cillo said he knew nothing about the search warrants except that his office provided tech support for Sheriff's investigators and reviewed the language in the warrants. He said he had no immediate knowledge of the ongoing criminal investigation. Hall has sued the county for greater control and input over Lorain County 911 operations.Commissioner David Moore on Thursday said the search warrants were about Hall trying to find information to support his lawsuit. "This is Jack Hall showboating," Moore said, questioning the timing of the raids mere days prior to the May 5 primary. "All he had to do is ask to get what he needed." Republican Commissioner Jeff Riddell faces a primary challenge Tuesday from Will Schlechter. Hall, Moore and Cillo are Republicans. Striking Lorain County Job and Family Services workers outside the County Administration Building said they were hopeful the raids turned up some evidence of corruption. They are picketing the county building, now 10 weeks into work stoppage over wages, healthcare and staffing concerns. One striker arrived at the pickets Thursday morning carrying a large bag of popcorn. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com