Current:Home > MarketsFormer Ohio utility regulator, charged in a sweeping bribery scheme, has died-InfoLens
Former Ohio utility regulator, charged in a sweeping bribery scheme, has died
View Date:2024-12-23 11:22:17
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A former top utility regulator awaiting trial on charges he took millions in bribes in conjunction with the largest corruption scandal in Ohio’s history died by suicide on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Franklin County Coroner’s Office said.
Sam Randazzo, 74, the one-time chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, faced the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the dozens of criminal charges he faced in simultaneous federal and state investigations. He had pleaded not guilty to all of them, most notably the allegation that he accepted a $4.3 million bribe from Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. as it was engaged in a scheme to pass a $1 billion nuclear bailout for two of its affiliated nuclear plants.
A spokesperson for the coroner’s office said Randazzo was found unresponsive at a building in owned in Columbus at just before noon.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ohio Attorney General’s Office and office of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who initially appointed Randazzo to the PUCO, all declined immediate comment.
Randazzo resigned his post in November 2020 after FBI agents searched his Columbus townhome and FirstEnergy revealed in security filings what it said were bribery payments of $4.3 million for his future help at the commission a month before DeWine nominated him as Ohio’s top utility regulator. He is the second person accused as part of the sweeping investigation to take his own life.
—-
Julie Carr Smyth contributed from Chicago. Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit service program that places journalists in local newsrooms.
veryGood! (226)
Related
- 1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
- Who has the most Oscars of all time? Academy Awards records that made history
- Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Make Debut as a Couple at Elton John's 2024 Oscars Party
- 'Oppenheimer' star Cillian Murphy wins first Oscar at 96th Academy Awards
- Golden Bachelorette: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged During Season Finale
- ‘Oppenheimer’ crew keeps it low key, other winners revel at Vanity Fair’s Oscar after-party
- Two National Guard soldiers, Border Patrol agent identified after deadly helicopter crash
- The 2024 Oscars were worse than bad. They were boring.
- Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
- Luke Burbank on taking spring ahead to the next level
Ranking
- Horoscopes Today, November 9, 2024
- OSCARS PHOTOS: See candid moments from the red carpet
- Investigation says Ex-Colorado forensic scientist manipulated DNA test results in hundreds of cases
- Oscars 2024 winners list: See who's taking home Academy Award gold in live time
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- Mother of 5-year-old girl killed by father takes first steps in planned wrongful death lawsuit
- Cry a River Over Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s Perfect Vanity Fair Oscars Party Date Night
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Make Surprise Appearance at Madonna's Oscars 2024 After-Party
Recommendation
-
Cleveland Browns’ Hakeem Adeniji Shares Stillbirth of Baby Boy Days Before Due Date
-
Horoscopes Today, March 9, 2024
-
NFL draft order 2024: Where every team will make picks over seven rounds, 257 picks
-
See Emma Stone, Margot Robbie and More Stars' Fashion Transformations for Oscars 2024 After-Parties
-
Food prices worried most voters, but Trump’s plans likely won’t lower their grocery bills
-
Investigation says Ex-Colorado forensic scientist manipulated DNA test results in hundreds of cases
-
This Is the single worst reason to claim Social Security early
-
Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins best supporting actress Oscar: 'God is so good'