FirstEnergy Executives Indicted in $60 Million Bribery Scheme

Two former executives of FirstEnergy Corp., Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling, have been indicted in connection with a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio. The announcement was made by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in an online news conference.

Jones, the former CEO of FirstEnergy, and Dowling, the former Senior Vice President of FirstEnergy Services Corp., are facing criminal charges for their alleged roles in the massive corruption case. The indictment comes after their termination from the company in October 2020 for violating company policies and code of conduct.

Yost stated that the actions of Jones and Dowling over a period of years have undermined confidence in state governments and the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of holding the "check writers and the masterminds" accountable.

Both executives have denied any wrongdoing and accused Yost of making false assertions. Jones' attorney, Carole Rendon, stated that he acted in the best interests of FirstEnergy's customers, employees, and investors and never betrayed their trust.

The indictment was issued by a grand jury in Summit County, Ohio, and includes charges of bribery, theft, engaging in corrupt activity, tampering with records, and money laundering. Jones and Dowling were scheduled to turn themselves in to the Summit County Jail but did not do so as planned.

In addition to the indictments of Jones and Dowling, the announcement revealed additional charges against Sam Randazzo, the former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Randazzo is already facing 11 counts of charges related to allegations of accepting bribes from FirstEnergy in exchange for regulatory favors.

The indictment also names two businesses led by Randazzo, Industrial Energy Users-Ohio and Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio. These entities were involved in the payment of $4.3 million from FirstEnergy, which is alleged to be a bribe. Randazzo resigned in November 2020 after FBI agents searched his home.

The recent indictments mark the latest development in what has been dubbed the largest corruption case in Ohio's history. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has already been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his part in the scheme.

FirstEnergy itself has admitted to its role in the bribery scheme and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The company agreed to pay $230 million in penalties and implement a series of reforms to avoid criminal prosecution.

The investigation into the corruption case continues, and Yost emphasized that this indictment is about more than just one piece of legislation. It highlights the "hostile capture" of a significant portion of Ohio's state government through deception and dishonesty.

The indicted individuals are scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, and the prosecution will proceed to trial to prove their guilt or innocence.