Trial Begins in Akron Over $4.3M FirstEnergy Payment at Center of $60M Ohio Bribery Probe

The $4.3 million payment FirstEnergy made in 2019 to veteran attorney and lobbyist Sam Randazzo — delivered shortly before his appointment as Ohio’s top utility regulator — is at the center of a criminal trial tied to a broader $60 million bribery investigation.

Prosecutors allege that then-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Senior Vice President Michael Dowling helped orchestrate the payment in exchange for regulatory favors tied to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Both men have pleaded not guilty to felony corruption charges, saying the payments represented fees under a preexisting consulting arrangement.

Case Timeline and Context

Opening statements were scheduled to begin in Akron. Jones and Dowling are among a group of FirstEnergy executives dismissed after the 2020 arrests of then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four associates. Federal prosecutors say Householder and others ran an elaborate bribery scheme funded by FirstEnergy that helped him win the speakership, install allies, secure a $1 billion nuclear bailout under House Bill 6, and block efforts to repeal the law.

FirstEnergy acknowledged in 2021 that it used so-called dark-money groups to support the scheme. A jury convicted Householder of racketeering in 2023; he is serving a 20-year federal sentence and is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Key Evidence And Witnesses

Randazzo cannot testify: he died by suicide in 2024 after pleading not guilty to dozens of state and federal charges. Jones and Dowling have told Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross they may call up to 58 witnesses in their defense, including high-profile figures such as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and U.S. Senator (and former lieutenant governor) Jon Husted. Neither DeWine nor Husted has been accused of wrongdoing in the case.

Court filings detail a Dec. 18, 2018 dinner at the Athletic Club of Columbus attended by DeWine, Husted, Jones, Dowling and FirstEnergy lobbyist Josh Rubin. Documents include texts and messages the government says show coordination about supporting a FirstEnergy‑backed candidate to chair the PUCO and planning a meeting with Randazzo.

Messages in the filings include exchanges such as Randazzo sending a list of figures for 2019–2024: "Total 4,333,333." Dowling replied, "Got it, Sam. Good seeing you as well. Thanks for the hospitality. Cool condo." The next day, Jones texted Randazzo: "We’re going to get this handled this year, paid in full, no discount." Randazzo responded: "Made me laugh — you guys are welcome anytime and anywhere I can open the door. Let me know how you want me to structure the invoices. Thanks."

What’s Next

The prosecution will seek to show the payment to Randazzo was part of a corrupt scheme to buy regulatory outcomes favorable to FirstEnergy. The defense contends the money was legitimate consulting compensation. The trial’s outcome could have major political and regulatory implications in Ohio, where the House Bill 6 scandal has already led to criminal convictions and heightened scrutiny of energy policy and political funding.

Note: All defendants deny wrongdoing and the legal process will determine culpability.