Jury selection is finally moving forward today for two former FirstEnergy executives at the center of a massive bribery scandal that rocked Ohio’s
Central Ohio is under an Extreme Cold Warning on Tuesday, as wind chills are excpected to remain below 0 for the next several days.Jury selection is finally moving forward today for two former FirstEnergy executives at the center of a massive bribery scandal that rocked Ohio’s Statehouse.
Former CEO Charles Jones and top lobbyist Michael Dowling are back in a Summit County courtroom facing 11 felony counts, including racketeering, bribery, and money laundering. Prosecutors say the pair used the company's "vast financial resources" to buy political influence, ultimately helping pass the now-infamous House Bill 6—a law that handed the utility a billion-dollar bailout for two nuclear plants.The trial was supposed to start Monday, but a Sunday snowstorm that dumped 10 inches on Akron forced a one-day delay. On Tuesday, a pool of 180 potential jurors began filling out questionnaires. If the selection process stays on track, we could hear opening statements from both sides as early as Friday.The core of the state's case focuses on a $4.3 million payment FirstEnergy made to Sam Randazzo right before he was appointed to lead the state's utility regulatory board. Prosecutors claim Jones and Dowling pushed to get Randazzo into that powerful position, then bribed him to ensure FirstEnergy’s corporate priorities were protected. They point to a 2018 dinner with Gov. Mike DeWine and then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as the moment the payment was finalized. It is important to note that while both DeWine and Husted are on the defense's witness list, neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.Defense attorneys aren't backing down. They argue that the multi-million dollar payment wasn't a bribe at all—they call it a legitimate payout for a consulting contract. They plan to call dozens of witnesses to prove that Jones and Dowling were simply doing their jobs and acting in the best interest of the company.Sam Randazzo was charged alongside the executives but died by suicide in early 2024. Former House Speaker Larry Householder is already serving 20 years in federal prison for his role in the scheme.Cold Weather and Snow Advisory remains in effect this morning and afternoon with wind chill values of -15 to -10 possible. Stay with us on this story.Track the Columbus Snow Warriors' progress in clearing city streetsFranklin County's level 3 snow emergency is a first since Ohio began the system Franklin County issued a level 3 snow emergency for the first time since Ohio began its current county-by-county snow level system.Investigators in Prairie Township are working to determine what caused a devastating barn fire that killed dozens of animals early Monday morning.The fire broke
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