Ohio’s former top energy regulator, Sam Randazzo, was found dead by suicide in a warehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Randazzo was indicted as part of a corruption case involving a $1 billion bailout bill for FirstEnergy’s nuclear power plants. He was accused of taking a bribe from the company to ensure the bill’s passage. The FBI searched his home in November 2020, leading to his resignation from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio days later.
Randazzo faced both federal and state indictment charges, including conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and making illegal monetary transactions. He was indicted alongside ex-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and former senior vice president Michael Dowling. The group shared 27 felony violations related to bribery, corrupt activity, and money laundering.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who appointed Randazzo, and state lawmakers declined to comment on his death. However, some legislators expressed sympathy for Randazzo’s family, emphasizing the tragedy of the situation. Rep. Casey Weinstein described the situation since the 2019 bailout bill’s introduction as sad, while Rep. William J. Seitz III highlighted Randazzo’s expertise in utility issues prior to the scandal.
Randazzo’s death marks the second apparent suicide of individuals linked to the FirstEnergy bribery scandal, following lobbyist Neil Clark in 2021. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost had previously requested the freeze of Randazzo’s assets after FirstEnergy admitted to paying him for his role in passing the bill. The case exemplifies the far-reaching consequences of corruption and underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues, such as suicide, in individuals facing legal challenges.
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