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Surveillance video released of raid at Cleveland City Hall

Posted at 7:14 AM, Dec 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-15 07:16:07-05

The City of Cleveland released Thursday surveillance video showing investigators from three agencies executing a search warrant at City Hall last week. 

Watch the surveillance video in the media player above.

Agents from the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seized documents on Dec. 7 related to two companies: Pioneer Engineering Inc. and Burton Scot Contractors.

RELATED: 

Evidence log reveals what was seized during raid at Cleveland City Hall

Federal agencies conduct raid at Cleveland City Hall

Surveillance video shows the agents walking around City Hall. 

According to the evidence log, the raid focused on the Engineering and Construction office, which is a division of the city’s Department of Capital Projects.

According to state business filings, one of the companies, Pioneer Engineering, is owned by Khalil Ewais, an employee of that office. 

According to Ewais’ social media accounts, he has worked for the office for more than a decade. He earns an annual salary of approximately $86,000.

Ewais incorporated Pioneer Engineering in 2009, according to state business filings. 

It is unclear if Ewais is at the center of the federal investigation or if he has been implicated at all. When asked whether Ewais has been suspended or placed on leave in lieu of the raid, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the city does not comment on active investigations but they are cooperating. 

 

Agents also seized financial records and contracts related to the city’s dealings with Burton Scot Contractors. Contract information obtained by News 5 show the company was contracted to work on a citywide right-of-way project in Cleveland for $5,822,398. The project's status is currently listed as open in the Department of Engineering and Construction -- the same department that was raided.

Another contract is for the Collinwood Parking Improvements in the Division of Public Works for $1,598,798.

While evidence relating to Burton Scot was seized by federal agents, it's still unclear which projects are under investigation.