Matt Borges
Multiple signs that federal corruption investigation might be heating up — again
After two former Republican officials in June were sentenced for their roles in a massive racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker said the investigation was continuing. At least two signs emerged last week that the proceedings might be intensifying. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on June […]
Money paid, favors done. Messages detail relationship between Ohio regulator and energy executives
In early 2019, news of financial ties between Akron-based FirstEnergy and the man incoming-Gov. Mike DeWine had named to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio began to spread. And as it did, FirstEnergy’s top executives feared they wouldn’t have a regulator they could control, according to documents filed in federal court late last week. […]
LaRose says he doesn’t remember conversations with players in Ohio racketeering scandal
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose says a constitutional amendment he’s pushing would prevent aspects of the largest bribery and money laundering scandal in state history. But on Tuesday, he said he didn’t recall conversations with some of the conspiracy’s central figures when it reached a fever pitch in 2019. He also hasn’t produced any […]
Ohio Statehouse drama continues as lawmakers attempt to repeal scandal-ridden coal plant subsidies
The drama continues at the Ohio Statehouse as lawmakers squabble about repealing or protecting scandal-ridden, ratepayer-funded subsidies for coal plants. These subsidies were created from the largest public corruption scandal in state history. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is standing in a very different spot now than when his legislation, House Bill 6, was […]
Fired First Energy executives team up with others suing to get FE report on Ohio scandal
The long list of pension and investment funds suing Akron-based FirstEnergy are making common cause with two fired executives who were ousted in the wake of a scheme in which the company paid out more than $60 million in exchange for a billion-dollar nuclear bailout. They’re demanding the report from an internal investigation FirstEnergy conducted […]
After Householder and Borges sentences, what — or who — comes next?
U.S. District Judge Timothy Black sentenced former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder to 20 years in federal prison and gave lobbyist Matt Borges a five-year sentence for their roles in Ohio’s House Bill 6 corruption scandal. Here’s what to expect next, plus an update on other developments: Appeals by Householder and Borges will likely raise […]
Householder goes to prison, but special interest corruption continues as usual in Ohio politics
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is a federal prisoner. That should give all the others in state government with their hands in the cookie jar pause, right? A once all-powerful Statehouse boss faces 20 years behind bars for orchestrating the biggest public corruption scandal in Ohio’s history. That’s deterrence enough for Householder’s political colleagues […]
Former GOP Chair Borges chair sentenced to five years in massive corruption case
CINCINNATI — It was Matt Borges, the former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, who was handcuffed by U.S. Marshals Friday after being sentenced to five years in prison for his participation in the biggest corruption scandal in state history. But federal prosecutors made clear that they were trying to send a message to other […]
Federal judge blasts disgraced Ohio House speaker as a “bully,” sends him straight to jail
CINCINNATI — Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder spent possibly his last moments as a free man around 2:30 p.m. Thursday and they couldn’t have been pleasant. U.S. District Judge Timothy Black gave the Glenford Republican the maximum possible sentence of 20 years and then ordered blue-shirted U.S. Marshals to immediately take him into custody. […]
Ohio Sec. of State Frank LaRose won’t discuss Householder connections
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday said that it shouldn’t surprise anybody who knew former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder that he’s a crook. But LaRose continues to refuse to discuss his own ties to the scandal for which Householder is due to be sentenced today, Thursday. LaRose’s name came up repeatedly earlier […]
Feds say former GOP leader Matt Borges should get 5 to 8 years in prison
The FBI has requested that former Ohio GOP Leader Matt Borges face 5 to 8 years in prison for his role in the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to a new court filing. He, however, thinks he only deserves 12 months and one day. A jury found that Householder and former GOP leader Matt Borges, […]
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 […]