OHIO — All eyes have been on the Householder and Borges trial since the beginning of the year.
On Thursday afternoon Larry Householder, Former Ohio Speaker of the House, was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Householder and former Republican Chairman Matt Borges were found guilty of scheming to take $60 million over three years in dark money bribes from FirstEnergy.
Prosecutors said the money helped Householder win control of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018 and pass a $1.3 billion bailout for two nuclear First Energy plants in House Bill 6. Borges was found guilty for the same charges and will be sentenced Friday afternoon.
While Householder laundered the money, it was Borges that used his political position to deprive voters from overturning House Bill 6.
Prosecutors also found that Borges laundered money to bribe an FBI informant. The judge gave Householder the max sentence of 20 years, saying he doesn’t take corruption lightly.
“The judge’s decision, we respect that,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker. “We sought accountability every day, as these individuals worked on this case, like I said, for more than 4 years, and we were looking for accountability and today, we believe that Mr. Householder received just that.”
Parker said he’s confident the judge’s stance on accountability will transfer to Borges’s sentencing.
“I’m confident that the assistant U.S. attorneys will go in with that same accord, that vigilance that was shown today to make sure that the judge hears all the factors that set forth under the statute, 3553 A8, and make sure he receives his due,” said Parker.
Federal prosecutors suggested Borges be sentenced to five to eight years based on his involvement in the matter. FirstEnergy officials agreed to a $230 million fine, and it’s not yet clear if the federal courts plan to prosecute anyone else.
