The investigation into Ohio's largest corruption scheme is all about money and power. The owner of two nuclear power plants in northern Ohio wanted a $1 billion bailout to keep its plants running. A Republican lawmaker hoping to make a comeback wanted help returning to power.
The result, federal investigators say, was a nearly $61 million bribery scheme to elect Perry County Rep. Larry Householder to lead the Ohio House of Representatives, pass House Bill 6 to subsidize the nuclear plants and defend that law against a ballot initiative to block it.
In July 2020, Householder and four allies were arrested on racketeering charges and now face up to 20 years in prison for their alleged crimes. In the months since, Akron-based FirstEnergy has fired executives, a state utility regulator has resigned following a FBI search of his home and federal investigators have continued asking questions.
Larry Householder: Out front, Larry Householder looked invincible but behind the scenes was a different story
Matt Borges: One year later, ex-Ohio GOP leader accused in House Bill 6 scandal fights case against him
How far did the quest for money and power go?
This time line was reported with court documents, public records, interviews and previous reporting.
Before the conspiracy
1997-2004
Householder represents 72nd House District, including as speaker 2001-2004.
2006
U.S. Department of Justice Public Integrity Unit closes investigation against Householder without charges. He says the inquiry was "politically motivated."
2016
Nov. 8, 2016
Householder wins a seat in the House.
Nov. 2016
Nov 2016: FirstEnergy report to shareholders paints grim future and in an earnings call, executives discuss advocating for Ohio’s support for its two nuclear plants.
2017
Jan. 2017
Jan. 2017: Householder and one son ride on FirstEnergy’s private jet to DC for President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Early 2017
Generation Now and Partners for Progress, an entity described in court documents as Energy Pass-Through, are incorporated as 501(c)(4) organizations and start receiving millions of dollars from FirstEnergy and affiliated companies.
2018
January 10, 2018
The FBI starts recording calls between key targets. It’s unclear if they were listening in before this.
March 28, 2018
FirstEnergy Solutions announces it will close two northern Ohio nuclear power plants by 2021. Three days later it files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. FirstEnergy proposes separating from FirstEnergy Solutions.
April 10, 2018
April 10, 2018: Republican Cliff Rosenberger resigns as Ohio House speaker. The FBI searches his property May 23.
Spring 2018
Generation Now wires $1 million to Growth & Opportunity PAC, a political action committee that supports Householder allies running for legislative seats, according to an FBI affidavit.
June 4, 2018
FirstEnergy Solutions contracts with The Oxley Group, Juan Cespedes' lobbying firm, from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 for lobbying to help sustain finances of its two nuclear plants.
June 6, 2018
June 6, 2018: Republican Ryan Smith becomes speaker after 11 rounds of voting. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/05/ohio-gop-house-speaker-vote/672865002/
July 24, 2018
$215,000 is wired from the accounts of Jeff Longstreth, a political aide to Householder, to settle a personal lawsuit against Householder.
Aug. 1, 2018
Householder meets with FirstEnergy executives in Columbus; Franklin County court releases and discharges judgment against Householder and Householder Ltd.
Sept. 21, 2018
Hardworking Ohioans Inc., identified as Dark Money Group 1 in court documents, is incorporated by an Ohio lobbyist. Within days, Generation Now wires $670,000 to the group.
Oct. 10, 2018
Gov. Mike DeWine attends the Republican Governors Association fundraiser at the Columbus Club, meets with FirstEnergy officials. The next day, FirstEnergy Solutions contributes $500,000 to the RGA. https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/firstenergy-pumped-1m-into-backing-dewine-records-show/ZHCCGM5E6JB4RDNKUKZK7KYKEQ/
Nov. 6, 2018
DeWine wins governor’s race. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/06/ohio-midterm-election-early-results/1893997002/ https://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/2020/12/18/ColumbusOH/ghows-OH-200739713-cc424217.jpg
Dec 18, 2018
DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones (pictured) and Mike Dowling have dinner at the Athletic Club of Columbus.
Dec. 31, 2018
Sam Randazzo resigns from his law firm.
2019
Jan. 2, 2019
FirstEnergy wired $4.3 million to Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, a firm owned by Sam Randazzo. The total paid to Randazzo from 2010 to 2019 by FirstEnergy was $22 million.
Jan 6, 2019
Householder wins speakership in a 52-46 vote. The next day he pledges to create a special committee on energy generation.
Jan. 17, 2019
Sam Randazzo applies for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Feb. 4, 2019
DeWine appoints Randazzo as PUCO chair.
Bribery case explained 2020: What you need to know about Larry Householder, FirstEnergy, HB6
April 12, 2019
Householder unveils House Bill 6, which would provide subsidies for nuclear power plants and overhaul the state’s energy policy, to the press.
April-May 2019
FirstEnergy sends more than $9 million to Generation Now to run a pressure campaign to pass House Bill 9.
May 29, 2019
HB6 passes House 53-43
July 17, 2019
HB6 passes Senate 19-12.
July 23, 2019
House concurs with Senate changes, 51-43. DeWine signs it into law.
July 29, 2019
Referendum ballot language submitted to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
July 30, 2019
Ohioans for Energy Security, described as “Front Company” in federal documents, is organized as a for-profit entity in Ohio. Carlo LoParo is listed on media buy forms as the president.
July 24 to Oct 22, 2019
FirstEnergy sends more than $38 million to Generation Now.
Aug. 5, 2019
Former Ohio Republican Party chairman Matt Borges incorporates 17 Consulting Group, which receives cash from Generation Now.
Aug. 12, 2019
Yost rejects ballot language.
Aug. 29, 2019
Yost approves revised ballot language.
Fall 2019
DeWine asks FirstEnergy to contribute to contribute to help his daughter Alice DeWine run for Greene County prosecutor.
Sept 1 & 2, 2019
Sept 1 & 2, 2019: Borges contacts Tyler Fehrman and tries to get him to give insider information on the referendum campaign. Fehrman declines and then goes to the FBI.
Ex-Ohio GOP leader accused of bribery: FBI 'selectively edited' recorded talks
Sept. 10, 2019
Sept 10, 2019: Fehrman wears a wire while meeting with Borges. Days later, Borges gave him a $15,000 check.
Sept. 23, 2019
Sept. 23, 2019: Federal officials secretly record Householder, lobbyist Neil Clark (pictured) and others at a dinner club meeting about the referendum.
Oct. 21, 2019
Referendum signature deadline.
Oct 22, 2019
House Bill 6 takes effect. Energy Pass Through sends another $7.3 million in FirstEnergy cash to Generation Now.
Nov. 21, 2019
The PUCO eliminated a requirement that FirstEnergy go through a new rate case in 2024.
2020
Jan. 13, 2020
Longstreth (pictured) deposits $1M into his brokerage account from Generation Now. Overall he received more than $5M in FirstEnergy and Generation Now money.
February 2020
February 2020: FirstEnergy Solutions emerges from bankruptcy as Energy Harbor. https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200131/millions-were-spent-to-overturn-ohios-nuclear-bailout-law-and-keep-it-well-never-know-who-paid mentions the change
March 2, 2020
FirstEnergy wired $2 million to support Householder’s ballot initiative that would have extended term limits.
July 21, 2020
July 21, 2020: FBI arrests Householder, Clark, Borges, Longstreth and lobbyist Juan Cespedes based on an 80-page criminal complaint.
July 30, 2020
July 30, 2020: Householder removed as speaker; retains House seat. Householder, Borges, Cespedes, Clark, Longstreth are indicted.
Oct. 20, 2020
Randazzo informed DeWine’s chief of staff, Laurel Dawson, that he received a $4.3 million payment from FirstEnergy a month before being nominated for the PUCO.
Oct. 29, 2020
Oct. 29, 2020: Longstreth's and Cespedes’ (pictured) guilty pleas are unsealed; FirstEnergy fires chief executive Chuck Jones and senior vice presidents Mike Dowling and Dennis Chack.
Nov. 4, 2020
Nov. 4, 2020: Householder is reelected to the Ohio House.
Nov. 16, 2020
Nov. 16, 2020: The FBI executes a search warrant at a condo owned by PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo. The next day DeWine defends Randazzo.
Nov. 20, 2020
Nov. 20, 2020: FirstEnergy discloses to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it fired Jones and others in part because of a $4.3 million payment to end a consulting agreement in January 2019 with someone who was subsequently appointed as an Ohio regulator over utilities. Randazzo’s name isn’t specifically mentioned.
Nov. 21, 2020
Nov. 21, 2020: Randazzo resigns as PUCO chairman.
2021
March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021: Neil Clark dies by suicide in a wooded area in Collier County, Florida.
April 22, 2021
FirstEnergy discloses that it is in early talks with federal prosecutors for a deferred prosecution agreement.
June 16, 2021
The Ohio House voted 75-21 to expel Householder from his legislative seat.
July 20, 2021
FirstEnergy Corp. is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud but reached a deferred prosecution agreement that requires the company to pay a $230 million fine, continue cooperating with federal prosecutors and take other steps .