Former CEO and Vice President of FirstEnergy Corp. Indicted in Ohio Corruption Probe
A grand jury in Ohio has indicted the former CEO, Charles Jones, and ex-vice president, Michael Dowling, of FirstEnergy Corp., making it the first time anyone from the utility has faced criminal charges in a corruption probe. The indictment, which also includes attorney Samuel Randazzo, accuses the three men of multiple crimes, including bribery, racketeering, money laundering, and telecommunications fraud.
The indictment alleges that Randazzo, who previously served as a state utility regulator, received millions in bribes from FirstEnergy executives in exchange for favorable treatment. Specifically, he is accused of receiving a $4.3 million payment right before becoming the state’s top utility regulator in 2019.
The charges also claim that the trio worked together to steal money from FirstEnergy, influence legislation beneficial to the utility, and avoid a rate case that could have hurt the company’s financial bottom line. The indictment paints a picture of greed and corruption among the men involved.
This latest development in the corruption probe follows the conviction of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder for receiving bribes from FirstEnergy. The utility giant has admitted to federal violations and agreed to pay $230 million in penalties. The case continues to unfold, with the indicted individuals set to be arraigned in court soon.
FirstEnergy has stated that they will continue to cooperate with authorities and have taken steps to establish a culture of ethics and accountability within the organization. The scandal has shaken the energy industry in Ohio and raised concerns about the relationship between regulators and utility companies.
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