Former PUCO Chair Indicted for Bribery, Embezzlement

Sam Randazzo, the former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chair, has been charged with 11 counts of bribery and embezzlement crimes in connection with the ongoing investigation tied to the House Bill 6/nuclear bailout scandal.

On Dec. 4, Randazzo surrendered to the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, according to this press release. He allegedly received more than $4.3 million from FirstEnergy and its affiliates to provide favorable rulings and results when he was PUCO chair from April 2019 to November 2020. If convicted as charged, Randazzo faces up to two decades in prison.

Ohio Capitol Journal details the bribery indictment and Randazzo’s “coziness” with FirstEnergy. Stay tuned for more on this development. Meanwhile, consumer advocates are saying the PUCO should investigate and review all FirstEnergy cases that were decided during former Randazzo’s time as chair. 12/6/2023