Sen. Jon Husted will testify remotely in Akron as a defense witness for former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and lobbyist Michael Dowling, addressing meetings, emails and texts cited during the five-week trial. He has not been accused of wrongdoing. The testimony arrives as Husted campaigns to retain the Senate seat he was appointed to last year and is likely to face Sherrod Brown this fall. The case centers on alleged bribery tied to a $1 billion bailout scheme and a broader $60 million corruption investigation.
Sen. Jon Husted To Testify Remotely In High-Profile FirstEnergy Corruption Trial
Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, speaks during an event about the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Columbus, Ohio — Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is scheduled to testify remotely Wednesday in Akron as a defense witness in the corruption trial of two former FirstEnergy Corp. executives.
What He'll Address
Husted is expected to be questioned about meetings, emails and text messages referenced over the five weeks of the trial in which his name has surfaced. The defense for former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and former lobbyist Michael Dowling plans to call Husted to corroborate details of those communications. Husted has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Political Context
Husted's testimony comes as he prepares for a contentious retention campaign this fall for the Senate seat to which he was appointed last year as the successor to J.D. Vance. He is widely expected to face Democrat Sherrod Brown, the three-term former senator who lost reelection in 2024.
Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones listens to the testimony of witness Jason Lisowski, vice president, controller and chief accounting officer at FirstEnergy, during his trial in Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross's courtroom in Akron, Ohio on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Mike Cardew /Akron Beacon Journal via AP, Pool)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Allegations at Issue
Prosecutors say the alleged misconduct dates to early 2019, when Husted was lieutenant governor-elect and the defendants are accused of bribing Ohio’s future top utility regulator, the late Sam Randazzo, in exchange for legislative and regulatory favors. Those alleged favors included pushing a roughly $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants affiliated with FirstEnergy, central to a broader $60 million bribery investigation that produced multiple prosecutions.
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder — whom prosecutors say helped mastermind the scheme — is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The Key Dinner And Messages
Then-Gov.-elect Mike DeWine, who later appointed Randazzo to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and Husted dined on Dec. 18, 2018, at the Athletic Club of Columbus with Jones, Dowling and lobbyist Josh Rubin. According to the criminal complaint, Rubin — a FirstEnergy lobbyist and an adviser to the DeWine-Husted campaign — texted the executives earlier that day with advice about how to lobby DeWine for the company’s preferred candidate to chair the Public Utilities Commission.
Defense attorney Carole Rendon talks with ex-FirstEnergy Senior Vice President Michael Dowling before the resumption of his trial in Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross's courtroom in Akron, Ohio on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal via AP, Pool)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rubin reportedly warned the executives not to mention to DeWine that they planned to meet Randazzo at his residence after the dinner. Later that evening, prosecutors say Randazzo texted Dowling a schedule of amounts for 2019 through 2024: "Total 4,333,333." Dowling replied, "Got it, Sam. Good seeing you as well. Thanks for the hospitality. Cool condo."
Jones texted Randazzo the next day: "We’re going to get this handled this year, paid in full, no discount. Don’t forget about us or Hurricane Chuck may show up on your doorstep!" Randazzo replied: "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."
Randazzo later faced state and federal charges related to the alleged scheme before he died by suicide in April 2024.
Legal Status And Next Steps
The trial of Jones and Dowling is ongoing. Husted's remote appearance is scheduled as part of the defense's case. Prosecutors have presented evidence tying the alleged pay-to-play scheme to broader political and regulatory favors; the defense disputes those allegations and is presenting witnesses to challenge the prosecution's narrative.
Note: All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Husted has not been charged with any crime.
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