More arrests are expected today in a federal probe of the Hamilton County Jail after hours of federal grand jury testimony last month and more Tuesday.
A month ago, former deputy Lonnie Hood testified for about six hours before a federal grand jury in the corruption probe.
And on Tuesday morning, Ron Gilbert, the sheriff's department deputy chief over administration, testified briefly before the federal grand jury.
Gilbert's exercise bicycle was reportedly part of that testimony. Investigators believe the bicycle was obtained illegally -- a perk from a department purchase order.
But after the testimony, Gilbert's attorney said his client was dragged unjustly into the investigation, and that former deputy Hood is trying to save his own skin by implicating Gilbert in the investigation.
"The whole situation is motivated by a criminal who is attempting to avoid serving the rest of his life in the penitentiary,"
Bill Ortwein said. It wasn't clear Tuesday if Gilbert will be targeted in the arrests.
"There's always the possibility, however, it should not occur," Ortwein said.
In December, a 28-count indictment was returned against Hood and six other men charging illegal distribution of steroids, cigarettes sold in the jail for up to $75 a pack and money taken from prisoners hoping to buy escape or jury tampering.
Hood is also charged with money laundering to hide nearly $1 million in alleged profits from illegal activities.
In May, Hood testified before the federal grand jury for about six hours.
That and other findings apparently led investigators to believe Gilbert's exercise bicycle was a perk the deputy chief asked Hood to get for him when ordering supplies for the gym.
Hood ran the facility until Sheriff John Cupp closed it down when he took office in 1994.
Cupp requested the jail probe when he took office. Gilbert was also subpoenaed in October, along with former Sheriff's Department budget and finance director Lannie Viall and former chief deputy Jim Hammond. Viall has since resigned.
All seven people originally indicted in the probe have pleaded guilty.
All but Hood have been sentenced to lower-than-guidelines terms.
In each case, prosecutors asked for leniency because the defendants cooperated.
Hood is scheduled for sentencing in July.
