ICYMI: New AP Story Highlights Mike DeWine’s Shady and Corrupt Deal One Year Later

Cleveland, OH – It has been one year since the explosive arrests of Columbus’ top political figures on bribery charges, yet Mike DeWine continues to be embroiled in the scandal. A year out and there are two things we know to be true: Mike DeWine continues to be untruthful about his corrupt deal and he still refuses to pay back all of his dirty money.

“Ohio has been named the most corrupt state in the United States, and Mike DeWine contributed to that,” Jim Renacci said. “DeWine helped create a culture of corruption where sweetheart deals and bribes are normalized in Columbus. He and key members of his administration have been tangled in this web of corruption, yet they have refused to come clean about their involvement.  DeWine needs to tell Ohioans the truth about his shady dealings and return all of his dirty money.”

A year out, $60M bribery scandal felt in business, politics

Associated Press

https://www.wfmj.com/story/44332153/a-year-out-60m-bribery-scandal-felt-in-business-politics

“There has been no dispute the regulator was Sam Randazzo, a seasoned utility lawyer and lobbyist, who [Mike] DeWine appointed chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in February 2019.

“Randazzo resigned from the commission in November after FBI agents searched his Columbus townhome, the same day FirstEnergy revealed the payment. Language in a separate lending document filed by the company that month suggested Randazzo helped the company after he became PUCO chair.”

“DeWine, up for reelection next year, has faced some political pushback for disregarding cries of alarm from consumer and environmental advocates and a group of fellow Republicans over Randazzo's deep ties to FirstEnergy.

“The governor has defended his decision to appoint the utility law expert.

“DeWine reassigned Laurel Dawson, the chief of staff who oversaw the Randazzo selection process, in a May staff shuffle described as unrelated. The governor's top lobbyist, Dan McCarthy, is a former FirstEnergy lobbyist who was president of one of the dark money groups implicated in the alleged bribery scheme.”