This week, former Ohio Public Utilities chairman Sam Randazzo died of an apparent suicide. We discuss the role he played in the nuclear bailout scandal with WOSU reporter and host of The Power Grab Renee Fox.
The Ohio nuclear bailout scandal has claimed its second life. The first lobbyist, Neil Clark, died by suicide in March of 2021. His death came several months after he was indicted for his role in the scandal that led to Ohio bailing out two nuclear power plants.
Police found Randazzo at one of his properties in Columbus. It came as he faced federal and state indictments accusing him of accepting a $4.5 million bribe from FirstEnergy, the utility at the heart of the House Bill 6 scandal.
It’s the latest sad chapter in a story of greed, arrogance and power at the Ohio Statehouse. In addition to the deaths of Clark and Randazzo, former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is serving 20 years in prison on a racketeering conviction, while lobbyist Matt Borges is serving a five-year prison term for the same crime.
FirstEnergy executives face charges of paying bribes, and other lobbyists have already pleaded guilty. There could be more to come.
Snollygoster of the week
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office sent a letter to Democratic party leaders warning them that their likely nominee, President Biden, may not qualify for the Ohio ballot in November. This is because the nominating convention falls two weeks after Ohio's deadline. In contrast, the GOP convention beats the deadline, so Trump's candidacy would be on the ballot.
The letter requested Democrats to "please contact me as soon as possible with any information that can assure this office of timely compliance with Ohio Law." The letter, besides winning an award for passive aggressiveness, has caused quite a stir. Ohio lawmakers would need to change state law, or Democrats could take LaRose to court.
This situation has occurred before. In 2020, both conventions occurred after the deadline, and lawmakers extended the deadline, but only for that election. It's important to note that the dates of the national Democratic convention were set a year ago, in April 2023. Perhaps LaRose's office wasn't paying attention, or maybe LaRose is taking a dig at Democrats.
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