Stunning Turn in FirstEnergy Scandal: Judge Tosses Major Charges, Bribery Trial Still Ahead for Ex-CEO and VP
Aggravated theft charges dropped in Ohio’s HB6 bribery case, but former FirstEnergy execs still face over a dozen serious allegations.
- $4.3M: Alleged bribe payments central to the FirstEnergy scandal
- Aggravated theft charges: Dropped for ex-CEO and VP in 2025
- Trial: Scheduled for January 26, 2026
- FirstEnergy’s payouts: $230M fine (2021), $100M SEC settlement (2024), $20M Ohio deal (2024)
The high-stakes House Bill 6 (HB6) bribery saga took a dramatic turn this week after a Summit County judge dismissed two counts of aggravated theft against former FirstEnergy CEO Charles Jones and ex-senior VP Michael Dowling. The move deals a blow to prosecutors and alters the landscape of one of Ohio’s biggest utility corruption scandals.
Judge Susan Baker Ross ruled on May 28, 2025, that prosecutors can’t prove Jones and Dowling stole $4.3 million from FirstEnergy, since, according to court documents, the company either consented or explicitly agreed to the controversial payments now alleged as bribes. This decision removes FirstEnergy from the official list of victims in the HB6 case.
Though this narrows the scope, the drama is far from over. Both men still face over a dozen other charges—bribery, public corruption, fraud, money laundering, and more—as the trial nears in January 2026.
According to legal filings, Jones and Dowling funneled $4.3 million to former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Chairman Sam Randazzo as part of a notorious pay-to-play scheme. The legal fallout continues to reverberate through Ohio’s power structures, with past and present FirstEnergy executives still under intense scrutiny from both federal and state investigators.
A major defense attorney celebrated the judge’s decision, calling it the first crack in what they describe as a flawed narrative and a crumbling “house of cards,” further signaling a fierce legal battle ahead.
Meanwhile, FirstEnergy has kept silent while the case remains unresolved.
Q&A: What Does This Ruling Mean for the FirstEnergy Case?
Q: Are Jones and Dowling cleared?
A: Not at all. They face multiple remaining felony charges including bribery and corruption.
Q: Why were the theft charges dropped?
A: The judge found it “contradictory” for FirstEnergy to both consent to payments and claim theft, making conviction on those counts impossible.
Q: Will FirstEnergy face more penalties?
A: The utility has already paid hundreds of millions in settlements to the SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, and the State of Ohio, but further fallout remains possible as the trial proceeds.
How Did House Bill 6 Become Ohio’s Biggest Bribery Scandal?
In a tangled narrative worthy of a political thriller, the HB6 case has exposed a sweeping pay-to-play operation. FirstEnergy previously admitted bribing both Randazzo and disgraced Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, the latter serving a 20-year sentence as of 2023.
Timeline highlights include a $230 million federal fine in 2021 and high-profile lawsuits filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The case escalated in 2024 with FirstEnergy agreeing to pay $100 million to resolve SEC allegations and another $20 million to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The ongoing investigation prompted a judge to compel testimony from three ex-lobbyists and a former executive—each receiving immunity to spill secrets before the PUCO.
What’s Next: The Road to the 2026 Trial
As the January 2026 court date draws near, Jones and Dowling face an arsenal of charges in both state and federal court. The SEC’s civil suit still looms overhead, with accusations that Jones misled FirstEnergy shareholders.
Meanwhile, the industry remains under the microscope from watchdogs like the Department of Justice and Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The saga took a tragic turn in 2024 with Sam Randazzo’s suicide, further complicating an already volatile legal landscape.
Your Takeaway: Stay Alert as the HB6 Bribery Saga Unfolds
Checklist: How to Stay Informed and Take Action
- Follow trial updates on reputable news sites such as AP News and The New York Times.
- Keep an eye on the SEC and FBI websites for new filings or guidance.
- Contact your local representatives to demand transparency and accountability in utility oversight.
- Watch for breaking developments in Ohio’s political and utility sectors throughout 2025 and into 2026.
Don’t miss the next chapter in Ohio’s most explosive corruption trial—subscribe, follow, and stay vigilant as the HB6 case heats up!
