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In a notable development set to unfold in Akron, Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted is poised to testify remotely on Wednesday in the widely watched corruption trial of two former FirstEnergy Corp. leaders. Husted will appear as a defense witness for ex-CEO Chuck Jones and former lobbyist Michael Dowling, where his testimony is expected to shed light on numerous meetings, emails, and text messages that have been frequently mentioned throughout the proceedings. Importantly, Husted himself has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.
Husted’s involvement in the trial coincides with his campaign to retain the Senate seat he stepped into last year, succeeding JD Vance. Looking ahead to the upcoming election, he is likely to face a significant challenge from Democrat Sherrod Brown, a seasoned political figure who fell short in his 2024 reelection bid after serving three terms as a senator.
The backdrop to these events traces back to early 2019 when Husted was Ohio’s lieutenant governor-elect. During this time, prosecutors allege that Jones and Dowling conspired to bribe Ohio’s future chief utility regulator, the late Sam Randazzo. Their aim was to secure legislative and regulatory favors, including support for a substantial $1 billion bailout of two nuclear plants tied to FirstEnergy. This bailout is central to the broader $60 million bribery scandal, from which the charges against the executives stem. Notably, former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, who orchestrated the scheme, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
On December 18, 2018, then-Governor-elect Mike DeWine and Husted met for dinner with Jones, Dowling, and Josh Rubin at the prestigious Athletic Club of Columbus. Earlier that same day, Rubin, a FirstEnergy lobbyist and adviser to the 2018 DeWine-Husted campaign, had offered strategic guidance to the executives on lobbying DeWine. Their focus was on advocating for FirstEnergy’s preferred candidate to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, as revealed in a text message included in the criminal complaint.
Then-Gov.-elect Mike DeWine — who appointed Randazzo to the powerful Public Utilities Commission of Ohio — and Husted dined with Jones, Dowling and Josh Rubin on Dec. 18, 2018, at the storied Athletic Club of Columbus. Earlier in the day, Rubin — a FirstEnergy lobbyist and adviser to the 2018 DeWine-Husted campaign — had provided advice to the executives on how to lobby DeWine, then the governor-elect, in favor of the company’s preferences to chair the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, according to a text contained in the criminal complaint.
Rubin cautioned the executives not to mention to DeWine that they would be meeting Randazzo at his residence after the dinner. Later in the day, Randazzo texted Dowling a list of figures for the years 2019 through 2024: “Total 4,333,333.” “Got it, Sam,” Dowling replied. “Good seeing you as well. Thanks for the hospitality. Cool condo.”
The next day, Jones also texted Randazzo. “We’re going to get this handled this year, paid in full, no discount,” he wrote. “Don’t forget about us or Hurricane Chuck may show up on your doorstep! Of course, no guarantee he won’t show up sometime anyway.”
Randazzo replied, “Made me laugh — you guys are welcome anytime and anywhere I can open the door. Let me know how you want me to structure the invoices. Thanks.”
Randazzo faced state and federal charges for his role in the scheme before dying by suicide in April 2024.