Fired FirstEnergy execs indicted in $60 million Ohio bribery scheme; regulator faces new charges

By JULIE CARR SMYTH and SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON
Associated Press/Report for America

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two fired FirstEnergy Corp. executives have been indicted in connection with a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost announced the indictments of former CEO Chuck Jones and former senior vice president Michael Dowling Monday, along with additional state charges against ex-Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair Sam Randazzo. The three face a combined 27 felony counts for alleged roles in a scheme centering on FirstEnergy bribes paid to then-House Speaker Larry Householder in exchange for nuclear plant bailout legislation. Jones and Dowling denied wrongdoing. Both are set to be arraigned Tuesday.