larry householder
Power companies quietly pushed $215 million into U.S. politics via dark money groups
This story was produced through collaboration between Floodlight and The Guardian. U.S. power companies have made political donations of at least $215 million to dark money groups in recent years, according to a new analysis of 25 for-profit utilities, amid growing concerns around how they wield influence. Such secretive donations to barely regulated non-profit groups, […]
Ohio lawmakers plan repeal of scandal-ridden coal plant subsidies
Ohio lawmakers are going over the House speaker’s head to repeal the scandal-ridden bill that forces ratepayers to spend millions funding “dirty” coal plants. While former House Speaker Larry Householder awaits his sentencing in the largest corruption scandal in state history, a third of the Ohio House is considering repealing the remaining parts of the […]
Corporations are licensed by the state. FirstEnergy’s rampant public corruption should cost license
“Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow.” -Abraham Lincoln, 1864 “Order the dissolution of a corporation organized under the laws of this state …… upon a finding that an agent ….. has authorized or engaged in conduct in violation of section 2923.32 of the Revised Code and that, […]
Lead Householder juror explains why trial ‘left sour taste’ in his mouth
The lead juror in the largest corruption trial in Ohio history has been left disillusioned with state government, hoping political leaders will finally learn not to undercut their citizens in exchange for power and money. A friend of juror Jarrod Haines introduced him to OCJ/WEWS. In a two-hour interview, the Greenfield, Ohio man discussed what […]
What can Ohio regulators do to prevent future utility corruption scandals?
This article is provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism, in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network. Please join the free mailing lists for Eye on Ohio or the Energy News Network, as this helps provide more public service reporting. Regulators taking proactive steps could reduce the risk of […]
Householder and Borges plan to ask judge to reverse guilty verdicts and allow a new trial
This monthly newsletter provides updates on Ohio’s ongoing utility corruption scandal and is a joint project of Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism, and the nonprofit Energy News Network. Got a question? Story idea? Send tips or comments to [email protected]. Lawyers for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and lobbyist Matt Borges said they […]
Coal plants helped cause bribery scandal. Now FirstEnergy might be buying one back
Akron-based FirstEnergy might be poised to increase its coal-fired generation capacity by 40% with the purchase of a West Virginia plant it owned less than four years ago and spun off as part of a massive racketeering scandal. The reason why the company paid out more than $60 million between 2017 and 2020 to force […]
More indictments ‘likely’ in Householder bribery scandal, legal expert says
The following article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. As former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder awaits sentencing for his role […]
What the guilty verdicts in Ohio’s corruption case mean for energy policy and good government
This article is provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism, in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network. Please join the free mailing lists for Eye on Ohio or the Energy News Network, as this helps provide more public service reporting. Jurors in Ohio’s House Bill 6 criminal corruption case […]
Ohio AG Dave Yost moves to get state lawsuit over bribery scandal going again now that trial is over
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Friday announced his office’s court request to lift a stay on discovery in the state’s civil case in the bailout bribery scandal. The request followed the Thursday federal jury convictions of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former lobbyist and Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges for felony […]
Householder and Borges felony convictions just a start in stopping Ohio pay-to-play corruption
The fact that former Ohio Republican House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Chair Matt Borges are now convicted felons in a $61 million political bribery, $1.3 billion utility bailout scandal is just a beginning. Ohio still has a long way to go in cleaning up a rampant culture of pay-to-play corruption that has […]
Defenders claimed corrupt energy bill would save money. Prosecutor smashed that claim, too
Jim Trakas was the Republican nominee for Ohio House District 6, but lost the General Election in 2018. As a consultant, he supported House Bill 6 the following year, but couldn’t vote for it. This story has been updated. CINCINNATI — On the stand in federal court, one witness after another testified that he supported […]