Sam Randazzo Obituary – According to the Columbus Dispatch, Sam Randazzo, the initial choice of Gov. Mike DeWine to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, has tragically taken his own life.
The death of Randazzo was discovered on Tuesday in a warehouse that he owned in Franklin County, as reported by the daily. Efforts to contact a representative from Franklin County Coroner Nathaniel Overmire’s office were unsuccessful at this time.
Randazzo, a 74-year-old energy consultant who transitioned into a regulatory post, has been indicted in both state and federal court for his involvement in a significant utility scandal that came to light in July 2020, along with additional alleged misconduct.
During the bribery scandal, FirstEnergy, a company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, made payments exceeding $60 million as bribes from 2017 to 2020. These bribes were given in return for a ratepayer bailout amounting to $1.3 billion.
According to his state indictment, DeWine selected Randazzo as the state’s chief regulator despite a history of questionable transactions between Randazzo and FirstEnergy over the past ten years.
The paper states that the individual in question was simultaneously working as a covert paid consultant for FirstEnergy and serving as general counsel to industrial energy users who were seeking improved terms from FirstEnergy.
Randazzo clandestinely embezzled millions of dollars from settlements. According to the indictment, FirstEnergy provided financial incentives to large consumers in order to secure their support for rate increases that would affect all other customers.
Prior to DeWine’s nomination of Randazzo as the chair of the PUCO in early 2019, FirstEnergy’s highest-ranking officials provided him with a payment of $4.3 million, which FirstEnergy later admitted was a bribe.
Prior to Randazzo’s nomination, it has been claimed that DeWine’s chief of staff was aware of the payment. However, it remains uncertain to what extent she, DeWine, and other members of the administration were aware of the over $10 million that Randazzo received from FirstEnergy throughout the years. She was scheduled to give testimony at the trial of the former regulator at the state level.
Randazzo, in his capacity as PUCO chairman, actively participated in the formulation of the bailout legislation and engaged in several profitable acts of assistance for FirstEnergy, as evidenced by court papers and testimonies.
Following an extensive federal trial in the previous year, Larry Householder, a former House Speaker from Glenford, was convicted and received a 20-year jail sentence for his involvement in the scandal.
Former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges was sentenced to five years for his actions. Two further individuals have admitted their guilt and are currently awaiting the determination of their sentences. Neil Clark, a lobbyist who was also a defendant, died from suicide.
In the wake of this tragic incident, we extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this heart-wrenching loss. As they grapple with the indescribable pain of bidding farewell to their loved ones, we share in their sorrow and stand in solidarity during this time of profound grief.
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