Antonio Condemns Settlement in FirstEnergy Bribery Scandal

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement after the Office of the Attorney General agreed to a deal with FirstEnergy to avoid prosecution in the wake of the ongoing House Bill 6 corruption scandal.

“Is this really what is in the best interest of Ohio taxpayers, who have already paid hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of the largest corruption scandal in state history?” said Antonio. “This settlement seems to consist of too little, too late in terms of accountability and justice for ratepayers.”

This agreement comes after Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio and House Democratic Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for federal involvement in HB 6 investigations.

The cost of the bribery scheme to consumers is estimated to be around $510,000 per day, and growing. The settlement of $20 million represents just a fraction—barely one-third—of the total bribes paid by FirstEnergy. It also suggests that money go to a non-energy charity of Attorney General Yost’s choice, rather than to Ohio ratepayers who continue to pay the price for FirstEnergy’s bribes.