John "J.J." Cafaro was led away by federal marshals and placed in custody after pleading guilty to one charge of making a materially false statement Wednesday.
U.S. Federal Judge John Adams ordered Cafaro jailed for failing to give federal investigators financial information. Cafaro's attorney, Ralph A. Cascarilla, argued that attempts were made to cooperate, but a member of the federal prosecution team disputed that claim. The judge then angrily ruled that Cafaro would be held at least until a detention hearing set for Monday morning.
He was taken to Summit County Jail.
Cafaro appeared surprised at the development but remained polite. He complained about a previous shoulder injury when marshals attempted to put on handcuffs. It is unclear whether they did eventually place Cafaro in cuffs. He was required to remove his jacket, tie and belt.
In the courtroom before the proceedings began, an FBI agent was overheard saying to Cafaro "I would like to sit down and have a candid conversation one day," to which Cafaro replied, "I would like that."
The charge stems from the false reporting of a campaign contribution to his daughter's failed 2004 congressional campaign. Cafaro, a recently retired executive of the Cafaro Co., gave $10,000 over the $2,000 individual campaign contribution limit set by election law. He then caused a campaign staffer to falsely report the contribution on a quarterly federal election report.
Capri Cafaro, now a state senator in Ohio's 32nd district, previously said that she was unaware of her father's activities.
None of Cafaro's family members or friends were in the courtroom Wednesday. But Capri Cafaro said she, too, was surprised by the ruling.
"I certainly do not condone my father's actions," she said. "It is difficult."
A detention hearing has been set for 11:30 a.m. Monday. Sentencing for the charge is set for June 8. Cafaro could receive probation or up to five years in prison.
