Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is facing additional legal trouble as he now faces 10 felony charges in relation to a bribery scandal that rocked the state. Attorney General Dave Yost announced the charges, which include theft in office and money laundering. Householder was previously convicted on federal racketeering charges for his involvement in a scheme with FirstEnergy executives that resulted in a $1.3 billion bailout bill being passed in exchange for $60 million in bribes.
The state indictment alleges that Householder used campaign funds to pay for his defense in his federal case and failed to disclose relationships and gifts on ethics filings. The charges include theft in office, aggravated theft, telecommunications fraud, money laundering, and tampering with records.
Special prosecutors have been assigned to the case, and two FirstEnergy executives and the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio have also been indicted in connection with the scandal. Householder, who was expelled from the Ohio House in 2021, remains in federal prison and has appealed his conviction.
This latest development shows that the legal consequences for Householder continue to escalate as the state pursues charges against the former lawmaker. If convicted, Householder could be permanently barred from running for public office in Ohio. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the serious consequences of political corruption and the legal system’s commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions.
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