Jones and Dowling reportedly were part of a conspiracy to increase FirstEnergy’s stock price while enriching themselves.
“Jones and Dowling used their positions within FirstEnergy to engage in schemes involving the offer, acceptance and payment of bribes, money laundering and witness and information tampering,” the indictment read.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
As part of the scheme, the pair allegedly participated in bribes to former Ohio House Representative Larry Householder and former PUCO Chairman Samuel Randazzo.
Between 2017 and March, FirstEnergy paid more than $59 million to Generation Now, which Jones and Dowling knew was controlled by Householder, according to court records.
The funds were funneled through a 501(c)(4) entity, Energy Pass-Through, to Generation Now and other entities that were reportedly associated with other public officials.
The money allegedly helped Householder become speaker of the House and pass House Bill 6, a nuclear bailout that benefited FirstEnergy.
Jones and Dowling are also accused of directing more than $4 million to Randazzo’s companies to influence him to take actions that would benefit them and FirstEnergy, according to the indictment.
In June 2023, Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the scheme.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
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