Former Ohio House Speaker Indicted For Racketeering

COLUMBUS, OH — Former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder has been indicted by a federal grand jury, the Department of Justice announced Thursday morning.

Householder was indicted for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy involving $60 million paid to pass and maintain a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout. The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

“Dark money is a breeding ground for corruption. This investigation continues,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said in a statement.

Four other people were also indicted by a grand jury for their role in the conspiracy, the Department of Justice said. The other accused are:

• Matthew Borges, 48, a lobbyist and former chair of the Ohio GOP
• Jeffry Longstreth, 44, a campaign and political strategist for Householder
• Neil Clark, 67, a lobbyist, former budget director for the Ohio Republican Caucus and owner of Grant Street Consultants
• Juan Cespedes, 40, a lobbyist

Generation Now, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, was also charged, the Department of Justice announced.

Between March 2017 and March 2020, Generation Now funneled money to Householder and allies to pass House Bill 6, which provided the nuclear plant bailout, and prevent its repeal, the indictment said. Approximately $60 million flowed to advertising, political candidates and other sources to pass the bailout, the Department of Justice argued.

FirstEnergy said they have been asked to participate in the investigation. The following statement was forwarded to Patch:

This afternoon, FirstEnergy Corp.received subpoenas in connection with the investigation surrounding Ohio House Bill 6. We are reviewing the details of the investigation and we intend to fully cooperate.

Householder was speaker of the Ohio House from 2019 through July 2020 and has had a long career in Ohio politics. He first served in the Ohio House from 1996 to 2004. He was forced out of office due to term limits and returned to the Ohio House in 2017. He returned in 2019.

Ohio House Democrats have proposed repealing House Bill 6 in the wake of the allegations against Householder.