Bill Mason, Parma councilman Tom Regas, and assistant county prosecutor Reno Oradini go way back. As Mason was appointed to higher office by his side of the Democratic machine, Regas and Oradini road his coattails into positions of power of their own. But soon, Mason will be hard-pressed to find a good wingman on his [...]
I asked for a screener of Trailerpark for the title alone. I have always been fascinated with the intricate hillbilly dramas created inside the mini-fiefdoms of mobile home communities. Little did I know that this film was produced by a bunch of students for a class at Ohio University. Thankfully, it does not disappoint. [...]
Bill Mason’s office has just officially become more powerful than the office of the Ohio Attorney General. The Independent has filed multiple public records requests to view Bill Mason’s text messages (Mason is sly enough not to leave a paper trail of emails to be requested) but Mason’s team says, “No-ho, muchacho.” As you may [...]
July 28, 2008. That’s when it started. That’s the day over 100 FBI agents raided the public offices of Cuyahoga County to kick-start a sweeping investigation of corruption that reaches inside the highest offices of Greater Cleveland. And still their targets, “Public Offical 1” and “Public Official 2”—also known as Jimmy Dimora and [...]
In the quiet, early-morning hours of January 14, a faint orange glow danced in the window of a tudor mansion on West Market, in a tony section of Akron that sees little real crime. The glow became more brilliant and gray smoke soon began billowing into the night sky. Around 2:40 a.m., a [...]
A letter to the CSU student with the dormroom arsenal: First of all, let me formally thank you for picking up my second book, The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. According to 19 Action News, you kept it next to your 9mm and your Rambo machete, so apparently, you’re kind of digging it. I’m always thrilled [...]
The Independent has learned that the LA Times is writing an expose on Nehst Studios, the Cleveland-based film company with ties to Al Ratner and imprisoned crook Bernie Madoff. In August, we reported on Nehst Studios’ strange involvement with the Cleveland Film Commission and the Ohio Department of Development [Nehst of Vultures]. [...]
Bill Mason is a bully. He’s that guy in High School who weaseled his way into the popular crowd, not because he was the star quarterback or because he was ruggedly handsome, but because he washed the popular kids’ cars and so was allowed to tag along. At the top, but undeserving, if you [...]
A Political Machine, Financed By You! ** The article the Plain Dealer was too afraid to publish ** Bill Mason is as guilty as Pat O’Malley and Frank Russo when it comes to blatant disregard for the ethics of public servitude. At last count, Mason employed 49 Democratic Precinct Committee members and Ward [...]
