The former speaker of the Ohio State House of Representatives, currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence, faced 10 more state felony charges on Monday related to a significant bribery scheme that provided a $1.3 billion bailout to a major regional energy utility.
Larry Householder, the former speaker, was indicted as part of an investigation by the Ohio Organized Crime Commission, which also resulted in charges against two former executives of FirstEnergy Corporation, an Akron-based utility.
The charges alleged that Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling of FirstEnergy funneled $4.3 million in bribes to Sam Randazzo, the former chairman of the Ohio Public Utility Commission. All three individuals, including Householder, pleaded not guilty to a total of 27 charges.
Described as Ohio’s largest political scandal, the case involved Householder receiving $60 million in bribes for facilitating a massive bailout of nuclear power plants, coal-fired electric plants, and solar energy projects.
Householder, aged 64, is appealing his racketeering conviction and faces new state charges for misusing campaign funds, not disclosing financial information, and committing theft, record-tampering, money laundering, and telecommunications fraud. A conviction could permanently bar him from holding public office.
Despite previous investigations into public corruption during his time as House speaker, Householder now faces considerable legal consequences if found guilty.
Ohio’s attorney general, Dave Yost, emphasized the severity of the charges, hinting at potential additional charges in the future.
The scandal involved millions of dollars benefiting various entities, with funds flowing into initiatives such as media campaigns, intimidation tactics, and political donations to support Householder and his political allies.
Further revelations showed funds secretly channeled to support political candidates aligned with Householder, who was actively seeking to extend his term limits through a constitutional amendment.
Several individuals, including lobbyists and aides, faced federal charges in connection with the scandal. FirstEnergy Corporation acknowledged its involvement, while another utility, American Electric Power, faced scrutiny for its role in weakening renewable energy standards in Ohio.
