FBI agents conducted a search warrant Monday morning at the residence of Ohio’s top utilities regulator, authorities told Spectrum News.
A man in an FBI jacket was stationed outside the residence of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo as agents conducted search operations inside. Agents were seen moving boxes as part of the investigation.
"FBI agents are conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity in that area in relation to a sealed federal search warrant," said FBI spokesman Todd Lindgren. "Due to this matter being sealed, no further details can be released at this time."
The search was first reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Randazzo in 2019 to be chairman of the regulatory commission.
Citing Randazzo’s previous positions as a lobbyist and attorney, groups including the Ohio Consumers Power Alliance have campaigned to oust Randazzo, linking him to FirstEnergy Corp., a power company under investigation for its role in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme involving Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder.
A consulting company owned by Randazzo, Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, has been used by a FirstEnergy subsidiary called FirstEnergy Solutions, according to a 2018 bankruptcy filing.