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Columbus, Ohio- One week ago, reporting revealed that FirstEnergy officials may have bribed more Ohio public officials than previously known. Between that and a documentary using Ohio as a prime example for public corruption, it’s been a pretty terrible week and a half of news for Ohio Senator Jon Husted.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made $1 million in secret donations to his campaign.

Under the DeWine/Husted administration, Ohio was named the most corrupt state government in the country. Former public officials and lobbyists have already faced federal charges- and state charges are ongoing. Ohio’s Republican-controlled state government is so well known for its corruption that HBO recently premiered a documentary about Senator Husted’s corruption scandal.

Finally, one week ago today reporting from the Columbus Dispatch highlighted how new filings in the federal racketeering case of former FirstEnergy executive Chuck Jones wanted prosecutors to define if Jones was being accused of bribing additional, unnamed Ohio politicians. 

“As Senator Husted officially kicked off his re-election bid, one thing he couldn’t kick was the corruption scandal that he was a major player in,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “It’s been a pretty terrible week of news for the senator, and Ohio Democrats will make sure that Senator Husted’s corruption scandal won’t stay away.” 

Columbus, Ohio- Following new reporting over the weekend that revealed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s previously unreported second signal chat containing classified war plans, it’s clear that his reckless actions put Americans in danger. As our troops are put in unnecessary danger by an unfit defense secretary, we’re asking Senators Husted and Moreno to call on Hegseth to resign.

This isn’t the first time Hegseth has recklessly put Americans in harm’s way. Earlier this year, reporting revealed an initial signal chat that a journalist was added to where Hegseth and senior administration officials.

Senators Husted and Moreno confirmed Hegseth even after a troubling series of allegations including a history of alleged sexual assault and payments to keep accusers quiet. During the confirmation process when questions about Hegseth’s readiness for the job were raised, Senator Husted said in an interview that it was time to get Trump’s cabinet nominees “confirmed and move on.”  Senator Moreno even called him “exactly the type of leader we need at the Pentagon.” 

“Earlier this year, it was clear that Senator Husted and Senator Moreno’s disinterest in doing their jobs and vetting cabinet nominees had the potential to turn dangerous- and now one of those nominees they rubber stamped has put our troops in danger,”  said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Husted and Moreno still have a chance to do the right thing and call on Hegseth to resign after endangering our soldiers.”

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Columbus, Ohio- Today, reporting from the Columbus Dispatch highlighted new filings in the bribery case against former FirstEnergy Executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling that indicated bribes may have been paid to more public officials than previously known.

This latest development comes on the heels of a new HBO documentary that spotlighted Ohio’s FirstEnergy bribery scandal, which has already led to federal charges and sentences for former Speaker Larry Householder. Under Republican control, Ohio has earned a reputation as the most corrupt state government in the country– and we’re still learning about more corrupt Ohio politicians every day.

READ: Are the feds going to say FirstEnergy execs bribed more Ohio public officials?

• Attorneys defending for former FirstEnergy CEO want prosecutors to disclose if their client is being accused of bribing more, not yet named, Ohio politicos. 

• New filings in the case against Chuck Jones signal that prosecutors may allege that bribes were paid to more public officials − beyond former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder and former utility regulator Sam Randazzo.

• Jones and his attorneys are trying to force federal prosecutors to give them more details on who he allegedly bribed. In a legal filing made April 11, Jones’ legal team says a recent letter from prosecutors suggest the government may allege that Jones conspired to bribe other public officials.

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Columbus, Ohio- This evening at 9 p.m., HBO will air a documentary on Ohio’s House Bill 6 corruption scandal, during which Ohio Republicans, led by then Speaker Larry Householder and current Senator Jon Husted, raised energy bills for Ohioans while bailing out the billionaires who had bribed them. Husted still refuses to answer questions about his involvement even after reporting has revealed his close involvement with the scandal.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made secret donations to his campaign- which of course he refuses to answer questions about.

Under the DeWine/Husted administration, Ohio was named the most corrupt state government in the country. Former public officials and lobbyists have already faced federal charges- and state charges are ongoing. 

READ: Ohio Capital Journal: New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergy’s push for House Bill 6

• Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy executives to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to newly released text messages.

• Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

• But a public records request reveals Husted’s ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling — the ones who helped fund his campaign.

• Once in office, records show that it was Husted, not DeWine, who allegedly helped lead the charge for the bailout bill.

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Columbus, Ohio- Tomorrow, HBO will air a documentary on Senator Husted’s corruption scandal where he led the push to pass bailouts for billionaires while raising energy bills for Ohioans. Husted still refuses to answer questions about his involvement even after reporting has revealed his close involvement with the scandal.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made secret donations to his campaign- which of course he refuses to answer questions about.

“Tomorrow, the rest of the country will once again see that under Husted and his fellow Republicans, Ohio is known as the capitol of corruption,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Ohioans deserve a senator who is focused on advocating for our state- not running away from the corruption scandal he created.”

MORE on Husted’s history with Ohio’s largest-ever corruption scandal can be found at StateOfficalTwo.com or below. 

Ohio Capital Journal: New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergy’s push for House Bill 6

• Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy executives to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to newly released text messages.

• Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

• But a public records request reveals Husted’s ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling — the ones who helped fund his campaign.

• Once in office, records show that it was Husted, not DeWine, who allegedly helped lead the charge for the bailout bill.

Cleveland.com: FirstEnergy made secret $1 million payment for ‘Husted campaign’ in 2017, documents show

• FirstEnergy Corp., at the onset of what would become one of the biggest public corruption schemes in state history, gave a $1 million “dark money” contribution to a nonprofit backing Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, new records show.

Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio Lt. Gov. Husted denies knowledge of corruption scheme in wake of FirstEnergy texts

• Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted adamantly denied prior knowledge of the largest bribery scheme in state history after we discovered text messages from FirstEnergy executives alleging he led the push for House Bill 6.

• He also seemed aggravated by follow-up questions asking how he was ignorant of the plot.

Cleveland.com: Lt. Gov. Husted’s says he has no memory of name-drops detailed in FirstEnergy bribery scandals

•  Lt. Gov. Jon Husted offered few answers about records connecting him to two related bribery scandals in state politics, stating he doesn’t remember a series of events or conversations depicted in messages revealed in indictments and at trial for those involved.

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