Former Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Larry Householder has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the largest corruption scheme in state history.
Householder served as an Ohio legislator for a decade and will now serve twice as long — as a federal prisoner.
Householder was sentenced by federal Judge Timothy Black in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati on Thursday morning, more than three months after he and former GOP Chairman Matt Borges were found guilty by a federal jury of felony extortion. Householder passed a nearly $61 billion, $1 billion bailout plan, House Bill 6, at taxpayer expense.
Black confirmed that Householder will be sentenced in full for the crime he was convicted of, calling it “the largest corruption case in Ohio history.” In a quote from the FBI, Black said it was “demoralizing to the people.”
“[Voters] I trusted you,” Black said. “You betrayed that trust.” He added that voters who elected Householder deserved someone who would fight for them, not for him.
“You took that away from them,” Black said.
Black said the $60 million in corruption proceeds could be used to support Ohioans through scholarships, grants and other programs.
“You took it from the people of Ohio,” he said. “You gave it to the people with private jets.”
In his pre-sentence statements, Black told Householder, “You like to be in control,” adding that he liked having people under his thumb. “You liked being a puppeteer.”
Before his sentencing, Householder spoke to the court on his own behalf and spoke about the loss of his daughter when she was 4. Black cited that in his statements, saying the loss of his daughter should have made him empathetic toward people, but it didn’t for Householder.
“You didn’t really serve the people,” Black said. “You served yourself.”
In his final statement before sentencing, Black said Householder attempted to deceive the jury by referring to repeated false statements he made on the stand.
“I don’t think you understand that,” Black said of Householder. “We reap what we sow.”
Black then announced Householder’s sentence: 20 years in prison.
“The patience of the court and the community with Larry Householder has expired,” Black said after the verdict. Householder was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody.
“We stood as witnesses to justice for the people of Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Ken Parker said after the verdict.
That’s responsibility, Parker said.
“It showed that if you want to stand up and say you are a public servant in this state, you have to be a real public servant and not a fraud,” he added.
“Should state House staffers, current legislators and lobbyists who were part of Householder’s team be nervous now?” state House reporter Morgan Trau asked Parker.
“Not if they haven’t done anything wrong,” Parker said, to Parker’s delight. “We’re continuing to review evidence, listening to tapes and talking to individuals… if there’s something there, we’ll go out there and address those issues.”
Trau asked Parker whether Householder’s appeal in another court would have any merit.
“I am confident that we will win the appeal,” he replied.
Earlier today
As he entered the courthouse, reporters asked Householder how he was feeling before the verdict was announced.
“I don’t feel — I don’t feel anything,” he replied.
When asked what he expected today, he replied, “I have no hope today.”
Even if he had any hope, it would be crushed by Black.
Trau provided live coverage of the sentencing hearing on Twitter, including Householder’s objections and statements from prosecutors, as well as Householder and his lawyer before the judge’s decision.
SENTENCING: Fmr. Ohio Speaker Larry Householder has arrived for his sentencing at 1 p.m.
He is facing up to 20 yrs for the largest bribery scheme in OH history.
I will be live tweeting with my team @martyschladen & @PaulaChristian_.
⬇️ @WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal pic.twitter.com/9Uef6Sg2cw
— Morgan Trau (@MorganTrau) June 29, 2023
The FBI has asked for a sentence of 16 to 20 years for Householder.
According to a sentencing memorandum released last week, the FBI had asked for Householder to be sentenced to 16 to 20 years in prison for “causing incalculable harm to the institutions of democracy.”
“He operated like a typical mafia boss, running his criminal enterprise from the shadows and using his pallbearers to carry out his plan,” the filing reads.
The scale of the conspiracy was unprecedented, the filing said, but so was “the damage it left in its wake, both in terms of potential financial loss to Ohioans and the erosion of public trust.”
The host requested a sentence of 12 to 18 months.
Householder filed court documents saying he believes he deserves only a sentence of 12 to 18 months in prison.
“Mr. Householder is a broken man,” defense attorneys said. “He has been humiliated and disgraced.”
Householder’s attorneys acknowledge their plea may be a “difficult task,” but say “no defendant should be made a martyr to public passion.”
The records show that the good the Host has done for the community outweighs the evil.
“Our purpose is not to revisit the facts presented to the jury — that will be a task for appellate lawyers and the appellate courts — but to provide Mr. Householder’s perspective, which was not reflected in his portrayal at trial and in the news media,” the document states.
Ultimately, the defense argued that the nature of the crime and Householder’s past and characteristics supported a “sentence below the guidelines.”
Defense attorneys argued that Householder “did not financially benefit from the crime,” saying the money, which came from his right-hand man, who was responsible for managing the financial aspects of the operation, was a loan. That “loan” was then used to pay off Householder’s debt and renovate his Florida home.
The convicted felon has already suffered punishment, the filing says, because “his felony conviction bars him from holding any public office in Ohio…his reputation has also been ruined.”
The host was disobedient after being sentenced
In March, a jury deliberated for nine hours before reaching its decision, finding Householder and Borges guilty of charges including extortion and conspiracy, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
As he left the courthouse after the verdict was read, Householder maintained his position of innocence and admitted he was surprised by the jury’s decision.
“I was surprised by the verdict because I am not guilty,” Householder said, telling reporters he would return home to his Perry County farm to plant summer crops and go fishing with his son. “I respect their decision, but I disagree with it.”
A sentencing memo filed by the FBI confirmed that Householder had objected to his conviction and the prospect of a prison sentence lasting several decades.
“At no point during the investigation or trial did the defendant express remorse for his actions, and to the government’s knowledge, he did not express remorse at any point,” the document reads. “Indeed, through his sworn testimony, Householder demonstrated a lack of respect for the rule of law.”
Borges verdict on Friday
In a separate memorandum filed last week, the FBI sought a prison sentence of five to eight years for Borges for his role in the bribery scandal.
“Borges’ primary role in this scheme was to deprive the people of Ohio of the opportunity to overturn what Borges knew was corrupt legislation,” the filing said. “Borges supported the criminal enterprise by laundering FirstEnergy payments through his own account.”
He then bribed Tyler Fehrman, a former friend who had become an FBI informant. During the bribe, Borges repeatedly threatened Fehrman, saying things like, “I’ll blow your house up.”
“Matt threatened to kill me, disrupted my existence, and exploited our friendship to line his own pockets,” Fehrman told OCJ/WEWS after the sentencing memorandum was released. “His actions are inexcusable and wrong — regardless of the sentence he receives. I personally hope that both he and Larry receive the maximum sentence for their crimes.”
Federal authorities chose a sentence of five to eight years because it reflects the seriousness of the crime, takes into account Borges’ checkered law enforcement history and serves as an example to others.
“Borges is familiar with the criminal justice system,” the FBI said.
Borges pleaded guilty in 2004 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to a misdemeanor count of misuse of public office and was fined $1,000 for the conduct, which occurred while he was chief of staff to the Ohio state treasurer. The record was later expunged.
“Borges knew exactly where the lines were when he decided to cross them and engage in criminal enterprise,” the filing reads.
In court documents filed by Borges and his legal team, he asked for a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison.
Borges’ attorneys argued that compared to other co-conspirators, his “participation was much less reprehensible.”
“He had no decision-making authority over anyone else, had no control over the money given to Generation Now, had no knowledge of the full scope of the conspiracy, was not involved in planning or organizing the conspiracy (which began years before Borges’ involvement), and was involved for a limited time,” the filing reads.
Borges apparently took responsibility for the bribe paid to Fehrman.
“Accordingly, the ‘criminal activity’ in terms of what Borges agreed to do should be limited to attempting to bribe Tyler Fehrman for $15,000,” the document stated.
The filing explains why a reduced sentence is appropriate: Borges has made “significant positive contributions” to his life, he has no criminal records, he has lost his job and reputation since his arrest, it would deter him from participating in more crimes and it would “both justify the need for revenge in society and allow for a fair level of mercy to be meted out.”
The verdict in the Borges case will be announced on Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Follow (*20*)THE FISH State House reporter Morgan Trau on the subject Twitter AND Facebook.
