Shaker Heights Police Receives $36,000 for Money Laundering Investigation

Shaker Heights Police and other local law enforcement agencies are sharing $1.2 million in forfeited cash and proceeds from the sale of the "Golden Eye" diamond stemming from the conviction of money launderer Paul Monea.

The FBI worked with Shaker Heights, Canton, Alliance and other agencies in the investigation of a money laundering ring in 2007. Shaker Heights will get $36,643.

Paul Monea tried to sell the 43-carat "Golden Eye" diamond to an undercover FBI agent and was arrested. Following his conviction, $100,000 in cash and the diamond were seized by authorities.

The diamond was auctioned for $2.84 million to a Trumbull County couple, The Plain Dealer reported last year.

$1.2 million was distributed among local agencies based on hours worked on the case: the Canton Police Department, $749,525; the Alliance Police Department, $282,429; the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, $46,460; the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, $37,092; the Internal Revenue Service, $36,643; the Shaker Heights Police Department, $36,643; the Ohio National Counterdrug Task Force, $19,496; the Jackson Township Police Department, $12,289; the Massillon Police Department, $8,990, and the Perry Township Police Department, $3,853.