Posted May 10, 20214 yr We need a catch-all topic on Ohio public corruption since we're so good at it! We're #1 (see below)!! Maybe we can add that to the state's "Come to Ohio" campaign?? 'In a league of its own': Ohio is No.1 state when it comes to public corruption, experts say Ohio's public corruption case involving $61 million in bribes in exchange for a $1.3 billion bailout is the biggest open investigation in any Statehouse in America — surpassing a similar scandal in Illinois and two closed-out cases in New York. The Ohio case involves big money, a Fortune 500 company, top political leaders, 4.5 million electricity customers across the state and the suicide death of a defendant. "Historically, I haven't seen anything like it," said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Matthew DeBlauw, who leads the public corruption squad in Columbus. "This case is in a league of its own." MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/2021/05/10/ohio-householder-prosecution-top-state-political-corruption-hb-6/4922865001/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 6, 20213 yr Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 19, 20223 yr In case anyone needs a refresher this is a nice summary of circumstances surrounding the HB6 fraud scheme. How dark money enabled and hid the corruption, and how gerrymandering allows the rot to fester as voters have no recourse to hold elected officials responsible. ideastream: Dark money helped Ohio utilities subsidize coal plants, delaying climate action at ratepayers' expense. https://www.ideastream.org/news/dark-money-helped-ohio-utilities-subsidize-coal-plants-delaying-climate-action-at-ratepayers-expense
April 20, 20223 yr Author He and his wife are such fine people "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 16, 20222 yr Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 22, 20222 yr Somehow surprising and not surprising all at the same time. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
February 27, 20232 yr PUCO Comes Under Scrutiny in Bribery Scandal Ohio’s utility regulator is at the center of a massive bribery and money laundering scandal that has been the focus of a trial here since late last month. In 2019, its chairman and a very recent senior official played a central role in writing corrupt bailout legislation that would give more than $1 billion in subsidies to companies the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio was supposed to be regulating. But did their role in the process violate any PUCO rules? The answer is unclear. When it comes to being a consumer watchdog, the PUCO doesn’t have the best track record. Since 2008, it has granted more than $1 billion in electric rate increases that were later declared illegal by the Ohio Supreme Court. But, thanks to the way the increases — or “riders” — were written, there’s no way to force utilities to return those ill-gotten gains to ratepayers. In at least one of those instances, a regulator might have known the rate hike was illegal when he voted to grant it. In June of 2019 — as Akron-based FirstEnergy was funneling millions through dark-money groups to pass the bailout that is the subject of the trial here — the Supreme Court struck down an increase that had already paid the company a non-refundable $460 million. Asim Haque, who months earlier was chairman of the PUCO, sent a FirstEnergy executive a text suggesting that Haque knew the increase was illegal when he voted for it. Haque then said he was just kidding. Then, just last month, the PUCO approved an increase of more than 50% in fixed rates for Columbia Gas without making the company go through a formal process to show that it needs the money. That means that after five years throughout much of Ohio, it likely will cost nearly $60 a month just to have gas service — regardless of whether you live in a 500 square-foot apartment or if you live in a mansion on a five-acre lot. Any payments for gas itself will be in addition to that amount. Way more below: https://columbusunderground.com/puco-comes-under-scrutiny-in-bribery-scandal-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 27, 20231 yr Author More signs that criminal investigation into Ohio utility bailout continues https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/11/24/more-signs-that-criminal-investigation-into-ohio-utility-bailout-continues/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 20231 yr Author Sam Randazzo, Ohio’s former top utilities regulator, indicted for bribery, embezzlement crimes https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/12/sam-randazzo-ohios-former-top-utilities-regulator-charged-with.html Yes, I know an indictment isn't proof of guilt. But why did DeWine, a former prosecutor, defend Randazzo? Might want to look into his closet too... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 20231 yr DeWine & Husted Subpoenaed for Ohio Bailout Scandal Plaintiffs in a civil suit related to a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal have subpoenaed documents from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and they’re scheduling a sworn deposition with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. There have been four criminal convictions so far in the scandal and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker has said the investigation is continuing. However, there is no indication that DeWine or Husted is an object of it. Even so, members of the DeWine-Husted administration were significant players in the scandal and DeWine’s nominee to head up the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio could be a target of the probe. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/dewine-husted-subpoenaed-for-ohio-bailout-scandal-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 4, 20231 yr Frank LaRose Admits to Mixing Campaign Offices & State Offices After months of silence, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week conceded that he’s engaged in campaign activity in the same building where he just finished moving his state agency — one that is in charge of conducting Ohio elections. But he hasn’t given any further details, nor did he explain why Ohioans should trust him not to politick out of the building as he runs in a three-way U.S. Senate primary that will be held in just four months. Adding to questions about the secretary’s forthrightness, his office has stressed that the more than $600,000 it will cost to move and refit the new space won’t come from taxpayers. The expenses instead will be funded by fees the secretary collects from business filings, his office emphasized. Since both are public funds, many in the public might find that to be a distinction without a difference. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/frank-larose-admits-to-mixing-campaign-offices-state-offices-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 2, 20241 yr Imprisoned Ohio Republican Larry Householder Indicted (Again) Former House Speaker Larry Householder has again been indicted on charges related to his actions in a massive bribery and money laundering scandal. The Glenford Republican is already serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted last March of racketeering in a scheme in which Akron-based FirstEnergy paid more than $60 million to purchase a $1.3 billion, ratepayer-financed bailout. The state charges concern some conduct Householder engaged in after he was arrested in July 2020. They also concern debts and other items that Householder admitted during his federal trial that he didn’t report to the Joint Legislative Ethics Commission as required. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/imprisoned-ohio-republican-larry-householder-indicted-again-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 22, 2024Jun 22 Author Last SCOOP until Monday: Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy execs to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history... New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergy's push for House Bill 6 https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/politics/ohio-politics/new-texts-allegedly-show-ohio-lt-gov-jon-husted-leading-firstenergys-push-for-house-bill-6 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 2024Jun 22 Good question.... Phenomenally corrupt or insanely incompetent? What is Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s deal? DAVID DEWITT JUNE 21, 2024 No matter how I slice it on the role of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in the biggest public corruption scandal in Ohio history, I’m forced to conclude he is either knee-deep in the corruption, or he is so wildly incompetent he let it all happen right under his nose without suspecting a thing. To catch you up, former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for felony racketeering as a result of his role accepting $60 million worth of bribes from FirstEnergy funneled through multiple dark money groups to win election for himself and allies, install himself as speaker, and pass a $1.3 billion bailout called House Bill 6 for FirstEnergy’s nuclear power plants and a pair of Ohio Valley Electric Corporation coal plants, one of which is in Indiana. The legislation also gutted Ohio’s renewable energy portfolio. Former Ohio Republican Party chair Matt Borges has been sentenced to five years in prison for his efforts to thwart a citizen repeal of the legislation. One lobbyist also charged by U.S. Attorneys later died by suicide. Two other former FirstEnergy lobbyists pleaded guilty, cooperated, and are awaiting sentencing. One of the dark money groups called Generation Now admitted guilt in the scheme. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/21/phenomenally-corrupt-or-insanely-incompetent-what-is-ohio-gov-mike-dewines-deal/
August 22, 2024Aug 22 Ohio AG Yost Settles Bribery Scandal for Fraction of Cost to Taxpayers Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has agreed to settle the largest bribery and money laundering scandal in state history with the massive utility that funded it. At just $20 million, the settlement amounts only to less than a third of the bribes Akron-based FirstEnergy paid and it is dwarfed by the benefits Ohio utilities have received from ratepayers as a consequence of the corrupt legislation those bribes paid for. Yost’s office sends out frequent press releases, but not one regarding Monday’s settlement, which was first reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, citing an SEC filing by FirstEnergy. In response to questions, his office said Yost had “voluntarily walled himself off from the case months ago to avoid any suggestion that the case was politically driven or any outcome was influenced by politics or political decision making.” But it didn’t explain how. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/ohio-ag-yost-settles-bribery-scandal-for-fraction-of-cost-to-taxpayers-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 14, 2024Oct 14 Report: Ohio Firm FirstEnergy Donated Heavily to Trump to Curry Favor As it sought a massive, corrupt bailout in Ohio, Akron-based FirstEnergy also spent lavishly on Trump-aligned dark money groups and at hotels and golf courses owned by the former president, a new report said this week. Trump and his aides wanted to provide a federal bailout for the company’s coal and nuclear plants, but they hit a brick wall — first in the form of a regulator, and then by public opposition to corporate bailouts, the report said. Done by the Energy and Policy Institute, the report is a deep dive into otherwise-secret records that have been pried out as a result of prosecutions and litigation around the Ohio bailout scandal. Called one of the biggest bribery scandals in Ohio history, FirstEnergy funneled $61 million through dark money groups to pass a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout through the state’s gerrymandered legislature and then protect it from popular opposition. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence as a consequence of his involvement, former state Republican Party Chair Matt Borges is serving five years and two others have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Two others were charged and then died by suicide. Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Vice President Michael Dowling face state felony charges related to their involvement in the scandal. Testimony during last year’s federal trial in Cincinnati showed that the pair were desperate for a bailout anywhere they could get one. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/report-ohio-firm-firstenergy-donated-heavily-to-trump-to-curry-favor-ocj1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
