Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is serving 20 years in prison for leading a racketeering conspiracy involving $60 million in bribes as part of the House Bill 6 scandal that was worth more than $1 billion to FirstEnergy. In addition to millions of dollars routed through dark money, trial evidence shows that $513,000 originating from FirstEnergy flowed through Householder’s adviser to pay down Householder’s legal debts, credit card bills, and repairs to his Florida home. Householder is now appealing his conviction, arguing that jury instructions were so broad that they might capture legal political contributions from entities with an interest in state law. That’s similar to former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora’s defense in the 2008 county corruption investigation. "I'm not an angel, but I'm no crook," Dimora said. "I'm not doing anything different than any other public official does." While prosecutors said Wednesday that evidence in Householder’s case showed explicit quid pro quo, his lawyers said he’s only guilty of “ordinary politics.” What does that say about ordinary politics? — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs at Detroit Pistons: Darius Garland’s game-winner holds off Pistons' late pursuit, 118-115 Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Windy and warmer |
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Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder speaks to reporters outside the federal courthouse in Cincinnati in March 2023 after he was found guilty of racketeering. (Jake Zuckerman, cleveland.com file photo) |
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HB6: While prosecutors said ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder perpetuated the biggest bribery scheme in state history, his lawyers told an appellate court Wednesday that he’s only guilty of “regular politics.” Jake Zuckerman reports that arguments came nearly two years after a jury convicted Householder of racketeering, predicated on a bribery scheme to pass a bailout of nuclear plants owned by a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. in exchange for millions in campaign contributions from both the subsidiary and its corporate parent. Today in Ohio: Northeast Ohio was abuzz last week when six people were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, with almost zero information released to the public. We’re talking about the men who were in immigration court Tuesday and how the process runs counter to our democracy on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Musk access: U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown is questioning why associates of billionaire Elon Musk were allowed access to government personnel records and whether they created cybersecurity risks when they accessed government computer systems to send federal workers a buyout offer. Sabrina Eaton reports that Brown, who serves as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation, sent a letter Tuesday that seeks answers from Office of Personnel Management acting director Charles Ezell. Child tax credits: Ohio families with young children could get $1,000 tax credits if the state raises cigarette prices and lets smokers foot the bill. Ohioans would qualify with income limits, Anna Staver reports. Gubernatorial run: State Treasurer Robert Sprague announced Wednesday that he is abandoning his plans to run for Ohio governor in 2026 and that he’ll instead endorse fellow Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Energy needs: Ohio’s regional energy needs could rise 40% in nine years because of an explosion in new data centers, not population growth. Anna Staver reports that a new report released Wednesday by the Ohio Business Roundtable warns that artificial intelligence and cloud computing have flung the state into a new frontier for energy demand. |
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City art: Cleveland’s City Hall becomes a dynamic canvas in the "Artists Run the Streets" exhibit, which features vibrant art, reports Sean McDonnell. The exhibit showcases local artists transforming urban spaces with powerful visual expressions that reflect Cleveland’s cultural landscape. Property values: Still think your new property valuations – and likely property taxes – are too high? Kaitlin Durbin reports that until March 31 you can file a formal complaint with the county’s Board of Revision and potentially win a reduction in valuation, which would reduce the tax bill. Property taxes: The highest property tax rate in Ohio goes to a Montgomery County area near Dayton, which had the highest tax rate in the state two years ago. Zachary Smith reports Cuyahoga County still has the second- and third-highest tax rates in Ohio, as well as half of the eight places where the tax rate is above $3,000 a year per $100,000. Air sensors: Cleveland's Division of Air Quality has established a network of sensors in high-risk neighborhoods that will give their residents a better idea of how healthy the air is to breathe. Peter Krouse reports that residents can now go to the city’s CLEANinCle Air Quality Monitoring Dashboard and see timely readings that show the severity of pollution in the area. Drug treatment: Juvenile Drug Court offers young offenders struggling with substance abuse a second chance through rehabilitation instead of traditional punishment. Kaitlin Durbin reports the program emphasizes support, counseling and accountability to help participants break free from addiction and rebuild their lives. Forcing blooms: Spring-flowering shrubs and trees in Northeast Ohio “set” (make) their flower buds in the fall, writes Lois Rose. These flower buds must be exposed to several months of cold temperatures (chill hours) before they can move to the next phase of flower development. Some plants have reached that level by mid-January, which means you can cut off a branch and “force” it to bloom inside. |
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Commercial construction: The city of Cleveland saw $3.11 billion in commercial construction permits in 2024, double the amount from 2023, reports Megan Sims. The city said the $3.11 billion represents nearly 15,000 permits it issued last year. |
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Killer sentenced: A Cleveland man who said he tried to pry his live-in girlfriend’s teeth out after he killed her and used Pine-Sol to hide the odor of her body was sentenced to the maximum term in prison Wednesday. David Gambino reports James Drahos, 59, was sentenced to between 14 and 19 1/2 years in prison for the May death of Tammy Dubuisson. Murder arrest: A U.S. Marshals task force on Wednesday arrested a suspect accused of charges involving a Cleveland murder and a domestic assault in Missouri. Anthony Conner, 44, was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police in connection with the murder of Glenn D. Favors, 51, of Cleveland Heights, Olivia Mitchell reports. Airport rampage: A Cleveland man whose two-hour rampage included ripping up radar equipment at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday. Adam Ferrise reports that prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that Isaac Woolley’s severe mental illnesses caused him to be unable to appreciate the seriousness of the crimes he committed on the day before Thanksgiving in 2022. Teen slain: An 18-year-old Cleveland man was killed Monday in the city’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, according to police. Jayme Moore was fatally shot about 9:15 p.m. in the 3000 block of Livingston Road, Olivia Mitchell reports. Firearms shipping: A federal indictment was unsealed Tuesday that accused a Wisconsin man of using an Ohio freight company to ship firearms and related parts to buyers in Saudi Arabia. Olivia Mitchell reports the six-count indictment alleges Mark John Buschman, 60, of Viroqua, Wis., conducted an illegal firearm exporting conspiracy from about February 2019 to about December 2024. Activist trial: A Cleveland activist who was charged with extortion said he plans to maintain his innocence before a jury in the spring, reports Lucas Daprile. Antoine “Faheim” Tolbert, 33, was indicted after an August incident where he and a neighborhood group he leads were accused of threatening employees of a gas station for protection money. Rapper killed: A Cuyahoga County grand jury returned an indictment Tuesday for a man accused of killing a local rapper in December. Olivia Mitchell reports that prosecutors say Devon Jones was involved in the fatal shooting of Carlos Banks, an up-and-coming Cleveland rapper who used the stage name KashBankx. |
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Food truck: Empanadas Errthang food truck has a permanent home on Cleveland’s West Side, making it easier for customers to enjoy its quarter-pound empanadas, reports Alex Darus. Film festival: Short films will be the main attraction at the Cleveland International Film Festival’s annual Get Shorty event. Joey Morona reports the occasion, which raises money for the festival, will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Movie museum: For more than four decades, John Zabrucky designed some of Hollywood’s most iconic props. Now they’re on display in his hometown of Warren, reports Susan Glaser. The Medici Museum of Art recently debuted a special exhibit of Zabrucky’s work, including many of his iconic pieces. It’s a preview of what’s to come, as the Trumbull County Historical Society works to create a permanent science fiction and fantasy museum with Zabrucky’s collection as its centerpiece. Jeff Klemm: Akron musician Jeff Klemm transitions from his punk rock roots to creating children’s music, blending his creative energy with family-friendly content. Malcolm X Abram documents Klemm's journey as he discovers joy in connecting with young audiences through his new musical projects. |
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Brook Park’s Blue Abyss partners with NASA Glenn to advance space training and research Read more Elyria police continue search for handcuffed suspect who escaped custody Read more Lorain Public Library System releases spring program guide, events calendar Read more Lakewood student’s poem on growing up queer is runner-up in national contest Read more Parma mayor asks for patience during winter water main repairs Read more Secrets to a long life? Ask 110-year-old Emma Demian Read more |
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