United States Supreme Court, April 9, 2026 (Photo: Ashley Murray/States Newsroom
This story was originally published by Canary Media.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the cases of the only two people to serve prison time in Ohio’s biggest utility corruption scandal ever.
Ohio House Bill 6 saga arose from FirstEnergy’s efforts to raise more than $1 billions of dollars in subsidies for its former nuclear plants in the state. Although lawmakers repealed this part of the law in 2021, HB 6 continue to cost Ohio utility customers money about half a billion dollars AND delayed the country’s energy transformation By gutting its spotless energy standards and subsidizing two 1950S-era coal-fired power plants
IN 2020the federal government has charged former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and lobbyist Matt Borges, former head of the Ohio Republican Party, among others. HB 6. The racketeering charges included allegations that the defendants accepted some of the charges $60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries in exchange for their pushing activities HB 6 by the Legislature and then blocking a proposal to allow voters to reject the bill.
First Energy he admitted he bribed the Housekeeper in 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.
Householder and Borges were sentenced in federal court in 2023 for violating the Act on Organizations Influenced by Criminals and Corrupt Organizations, commonly known as RICO. The 6The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling last May.
Last December, the men filed complaints with the U.S. Supreme Court. Basically Householder and Borges he argued that they cannot be held accountable because they support HB 6Householder followed through on a campaign promise to FirstEnergy – and such promises are protected by the First Amendment.
The government replied unequivocally: There were no grounds to overturn the sentences.
“The Court explained that the First Amendment does not protect corruption, which‘characteristic feature is‘financial What for: dollars for political favors,” Justice Department lawyers wrote in March.
April Supreme Court 27 order is the end point of Householder and Borges’ appeal process. It was not stated why the justices declined to review.
The ruling leaves the door open for prosecutors in a related federal criminal case against former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling. Two men stand face to face retrial in September on state criminal charges after a jury failed to reach a verdict in March. A trial date has not yet been set in the federal case.
Canary Media has not received a response from lawyers representing Householder and Borges in their petitions to the Supreme Court.
Scott Pullins, A long-time lawyer for Householder on other matters, said it was a melancholy day for the Householder and Borges families and“this is an even sadder day for free speech and the rule of law.” He added that efforts to free Householder through executive action – perhaps a presidential pardon or commutation of his sentence – would resume.
Pullins is also treasurer for Householder’s political campaign committee, which remains busy. In December 2025 This he paid Pullins $5,000 as legal guardian.
For now, spotless energy advocates consider this week’s court decision a victory.
“If we want more clean energy, we need clean government,” said Howard Learner CEO and president of the Center for Environmental Law and Policy. “Householder’s racketeering conspiracy and bribery activities distorted the public process, resulting in unfair FirstEnergy utility payments. Justice has already been served.”
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