Sam Randazzo, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, was found dead in an apparent suicide at a warehouse in Columbus. Randazzo was indicted in connection to a corruption case involving FirstEnergy, where he was accused of taking bribes to pass a $1 billion bailout bill for the company’s nuclear power plants. He was facing federal charges as well as state charges, including bribery and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
The news of Randazzo’s death has shocked many, with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and state lawmakers expressing their condolences. DeWine defended his appointment of Randazzo, stating that the former chairman was a well-known expert in energy issues, and his motives were not known at the time of the appointment. Lawmakers from both parties expressed sadness over the situation, calling it a tragedy.
This is the second death tied to the FirstEnergy bribery scandal, with lobbyist Neil Clark also dying by apparent suicide in 2021. The case has been a long and complicated saga since the introduction of House Bill 6 in 2019. The freeze of Randazzo’s assets was requested when it was revealed that he had received a $4.3 million payment from FirstEnergy for his consulting services just months after the bailout bill went into effect.
The investigation into the corruption case continues, with the recent death of Randazzo adding another layer of complexity to the story. The impact of his actions and the scandal on Ohio’s energy industry and political landscape remains to be seen.
Source
Photo credit www.nbc4i.com