CINCINNATI (AP) — The energy giant at the centre of a USD60 million bribery scheme in Ohio admitted on Thursday to using dark money groups to fund the effort, and agreed to pay USD230 million and other conditions so prosecutors won’t forge ahead with a criminal case against the company.
Authorities charged Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, alleging payoffs to public officials to back a USD1 billion subsidy that would have had taxpayers helping the company prop up two ageing nuclear plants.
That charge could be dropped in three years if the company complies with the terms of the deal, such as continuing to cooperate with investigators looking into the kickbacks to officials, who included the Ohio House speaker and a lobbyist who would become the state’s top utility regulator.
