COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Dennis Kratochvil, apparently, was not your average state employee.

As Facilities Manager at the Ohio Department of Transportation District 12 office in the Cleveland area, Kratochvil had considerable influence over which companies were awarded state construction contracts.

ODOT was unaware of how he consummated some of those deals.

An investigation by State Inspector General Thomas Charles, released Thursday, found Kratochvil steered contracts to friends in return for cash, trips and lap dances from strippers.

“Kratochvil’s greed was fueled by his infatuation with strippers, on whom he bestowed lavish gifts of jewelry, furniture, appliances and cash. He gave one stripper $4,000 for a breast augmentation; when she balked at going through with the surgery, he allowed her to keep $1,000 of the money as a birthday present,” Charles said in his report.

The investigation began with a tip to ODOT, by email, alleging Kratochvil had accepted a trip from a contractor.

ODOT took the tip seriously and eventually the Inspector General issued subpoenas to 130 people.

Authorities conducted searches of the homes and businesses of Kratochvil and fellow ODOT employee Terrence Kosmata, along with the offices of six ODOT contractors.

Investigators concluded: “Kratochvil, Kosmata and Kosmata’s senior purchasing officer, Kevin M. Horrigan, had accepted a wide range of gifts and gratuities in exchange for steering contracts to preferred vendors. The gratuities included fishing and hunting trips in Ohio, Texas and Alaska; hotel accommodations and meals in Las Vegas and Cleveland; meals, drinks and lap dances at strip clubs; a membership at a private golf club; free or discounted garage door installations, electrical work, plumbing and other services; and cash.”

Charles also noted that Kratochvil also paid strippers for sexual liaisons during working hours at a motel and in the back of his minivan inside the ODOT garage.

As a result of the investigation, seven employees were fired or resigned, including Kratochvil, Kosmata and Horrigan.

The Inspector General has forwarded the investigative findings to the county prosecutor for possible criminal charges.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com