Dem lawmaker calls for probe into Randazzo
A Democratic lawmaker wants Ohio’s utility regulators to investigate how much influence Akron-based Firstenergy had over their former chairman Sam Randazzo.
Rep. Jeff Crossman, D-parma, asked new Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair Jenifer French to start an independent investigation into Randazzo’s actions at the PUCO and file a complaint against Randazzo as an attorney.
Firstenergy admitted the company paid Randazzo’s company $4.3 million so the top utility regulator would work on their behalf. Randazzo helped craft House Bill 6 language, which was favorable to Firstenergy, and delay a 2024 rate case that might have cut into the company’s profits, according to admissions in the company’s deferred prosecution agreement.
“Anything short of an independent investigation will fail to provide sufficient assurances that this type of corruption scandal will not be repeated in the future at the PUCO,” Crossman wrote in a letter to French.
Crossman also suspects Randazzo overstepped his ethical bounds as an Ohio attorney and asked French to file a complaint with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Ohio to probe that possibility.
“Randazzo’s activities on Firstenergy’s behalf appear to have been in direct conflict with his role as Ohio’s chief utility regulator and likely in violation of his ethical duties as a licensed attorney in Ohio,” Crossman wrote.
A PUCO spokesman confirmed that while the utility regulator has launched several investigations into Firstenergy’s actions, none have focused on Randazzo.
Randazzo, through his attorney, has said he did nothing wrong. He has not been charged with any crime in connection with the federal corruption investigation.
“At no time prior to or after my appointment to the PUCO was I asked or did I agree to exercise authority as a public official or perform any official action in my capacity as chair to further Firstenergy’s legislative, regulatory or other interests,” Randazzo said in a statement.
Randazzo’s financial assets remain frozen by a court order despite an attempt to reverse that. Randazzo’s assets include several bank accounts, property in Columbus and three vehicles, including a pink 2002 Porsche.
Randazzo’s attorney Roger Sugarman argued that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office didn’t rely on facts or evidence to freeze the accounts, but ultimately Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Chris Brown disagreed.
“Garnishment is the appropriate means to secure the property,” Brown wrote in an order.
Yost wanted to freeze the financial accounts in case they were needed to repay Ohio taxpayers later.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau.