Householder and Borges found GUILTY in racketeering conspiracy case; GOP silent; Ohio is victim

March 12, 2023

Former Republican Ohio House speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party chairman Matt Borges face up to 20 years in prison in racketeering conspiracy case tied to House Bill 6 and FirstEnergy. Both Householder and Borges were found guilty on racketeering charges for their involvement in a $60 million racketeering conspiracy to pass the controversial nuclear bailout bill (HB6) in Ohio. This verdict is a successful example of holding public officials accountable and achieving justice for all Ohioans who are still paying for the scandal-ridden HB6 bailout. All elected officials should take heed: Justice will be served.

Federal prosecutors have said the $61 million corruption case against former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges is likely to be the biggest bribery and money laundering scandal in Ohio history. During the trial, actions by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Ohio Governor DeWine, Ohio Lt. Governor Husted, Ohio Secretary of State LaRose and Ohio Attorney General Yost have come up.

Despite FirstEnergy paying a $230 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement in which it admitted it was involved in allegations of a racketeering conspiracy related to Ohio House Bill 6. Despite being in bankruptcy, FirstEnergy Solutions spent a large amount on TV ads and mailers targeting lawmakers to try to get them to vote against the bailout bill. Despite Generation Now, the tax-exempt, non-profit corporation pleading guilty to laundering FirstEnergy money. Despite Juan Cespedes, a former lobbyist who helped FirstEnergy pass the House Bill 6 nuclear bailout law, and Jeff Longstreth, who functioned as Householder’s political strategist and general fixer, pleading guilty and expected to testify for the government. Despite Neil Clark, a longtime lobbyist and served as budget director for the Ohio Republican Caucus, indicted, but committed suicide. Householder and Borges contend they are innocent of all bribery and corruption charges.

Best quote from trial so far regarding the citizens referendum on HB6:

‘If it makes the ballot, we are dead,’
~~Borges said.

Ohioans continue to foot the bill of not just former Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder’s public corruption trial, but also the bill that landed him in federal court. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Thursday agreed to a measure that could increase fixed monthly charges to 1.4 million Ohio natural gas customers by more than 50% over the next five years.

After two and a half years when the FBI arrested one of Ohio’s most powerful politicians, former Republican Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is finally facing trial. Federal prosecutors allege that Householder traded legislation – House Bill 6 – into a pay-to-play scandal, used the money to help those who said they would vote for HB6 get elected to the House and for personal use. It has become apparent that FirstEnergy and former Speaker Larry Householder needed each other as Householder sarcastically called the $60M investment “a bargain” and his attorney has called this case “a nothing burger.”

According to the FBI, Householder worked out deals with candidates and other legislators to vote for a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants – one located in Ohio and one located in Indiana owned by Akron-based utility First Energy – that Ohioans’ have been charged for on our electric bills for nearly $61 million in campaign cash that he spread around to other GOP House representatives and used for personal use. Then-U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio David DeVillers told reporters this was “likely the largest bribery, money laundering scheme ever perpetrated against the people of the state of Ohio.” Articles will be posted as the case moves forward.

COMMON CAUSE OHIO TEAM has set up a site specifically for the Householder Enterprise Racketeering Trial. On the site, you will find links to a timeline of Householder Enterprise/House Bill 6 scandal, a list of key figures, FAQs, additional resources, a petition and a history of corruption scandals in Ohio: Visit here. Sign up for updates from the Householder/Borges trial here. With the guilty verdict of Householder and Borges, this is the perfect time to invite you to a webinar Common Cause Ohio is hosting for Sunshine week. Please join us for Shine a Light on the Statehouse: What Can We Learn from the Householder/Borges Trial?, a virtual event on Wed., March 15 at 6:00 pm. Details and registration at this link.

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