Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former GOP state chair Matt Borges were found guilty of corruption in a $60 million nuclear bailout bribery scheme.
The pair were accused in a $61 million pay-to-play scheme to legislation that benefited FirstEnergy. It was referred to as the biggest corruption case in the state's history.
The jury deliberated for 9 1/2 hours over the course of two days before returning with the guilty verdict.
The verdict sparked reactions from Ohio politicians of both major parties.
Outside the federal courthouse in Cincinnati, Householder said he would appeal the decision. He told reporters House Bill 6 which supported the nuclear bailout was "good legislation" and he didn't agree with the jury's decision.
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder on his way out of federal court after a jury found him guilty on corruption charges. Householder says he will "absolutely" appeal. Asked what's next beyond that, Householder said it's almost time to plant vegetables in his garden. pic.twitter.com/rDo5CMgdQX
— Nick Swartsell (@nswartsell) March 9, 2023
David DeVillers, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, who initially sought the racketeering charges in the case said that the ruling sends a message.
Frmr US Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio @devillers_david, who brought the case, tells me verdicts send clear message "that rule of law prevails. And the rules aren't written by corporations or politicians or lobbyists. They're written by the people"
— Karen Kasler (@karenkasler) March 9, 2023
Former Ohio Rep. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) applauded the jury's decision. He said Householder brought this upon himself and the scheme has ruined careers.
I would not wish jail on anyone. But he brought this mess to the Ohio House. He ruined careers. He is guilty. pic.twitter.com/LEBIpKdeXZ
— Former Rep. Kyle Koehler (@repkoehler) March 9, 2023
Tyler Fehrman, Republican strategist turned FBI informant needed just one word to react to the verdict.
Borges threatened to blow up Fehrman's house if anyone found out about a $15,000 bribe he offered to try to get inside information on a campaign to repeal the nuclear bailout bill.
Justice. https://t.co/M3XULpdzY6
— Tyler Fehrman (@RealTeamGinge) March 9, 2023
Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said justice was served, but dark money reforms are needed to prevent future bribery scandals.
🧵Justice was served today in Ohio’s largest corruption scandal in history. However, the issue of unlimited dark money and pay-to-play bribes being funneled through our political systems remains. /1 https://t.co/tEzf7tvJD2
— Rep. Allison Russo🌻 (@Russo4Ohio) March 9, 2023
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesperson Dan Tierney said the governor declined to comment on the verdict. DeWine signed the nuclear bailout bill into law in 2019.
Ohio Gov. @MikeDeWine spokesman Dan Tierney on Householder conviction: "Governor DeWine respectfully declines comment."
— Jeremy Pelzer (@jpelzer) March 9, 2023
