Attorneys representing investors in utility giant FirstEnergy Corp. say the company’s former chief executive and a top official were behind the payments in an alleged $60 million corruption scheme.
The two attorneys revealed the names in new court documents Wednesday under order from a federal judge. They said former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and senior vice president Michael Dowling were responsible for the company’s role.
Both Jones and Dowling were fired by FirstEnergy in October 2020. Neither have been criminally charged. Jones has long said he did nothing wrong.
U.S District Court Judge John Adams on Tuesday told lawyers he wanted the names of who from the company paid bribes, saying that the public has a right to know how the political process was so easily corrupted. The order stemmed from a proposed settlement of lawsuits filed by shareholders on behalf of FirstEnergy against board members and top executives.
Messages seeking comment were left with Jones' and Dowling's attorneys.
