CINCINNATI — Court adjourned early Thursday in the federal trial of Larry Householder and Matt Borges, but while court was in session, an FBI witness was back on the stand and more documents and communications were presented to jurors.
What You Need To Know
- FBI Special Agent Blane Wetzel testified about Larry Householder's connection to FirstEnergy and the passage of House Bill 6
- Wetzel shared emails and text messages
- HB 6 was introduced in April 2019 and signed into law a few months later in July
- Judge Timothy Black decided to end early on Thursday
FBI Special Agent Blane Wetzel led the government's investigation of the alleged bribery and corruption case and on Thursday continued to detail more emails, texts and phone calls to show FirstEnergy's dark money contributions helped Householder and his hand-picked candidates get elected in 2018. In return, Householder gained power and millions of dollars in bribes.
It was after the 2018 general election and before those candidates were sworn in, that Wetzel said an email from FirstEnergy laid the groundwork for House Bill 6 — the billion dollar nuclear bailout that would benefit FirstEnergy. The bill was introduced in April and sailed through the legislature to get to the governor's desk in July. It took effect 90 days later.
Wetzel will continue on the stand Friday, with former FirstEnergy lobbyist Juan Cespedes, who struck an earlier plea deal, expected to testify next.