CINCINNATI — Jurors received their instructions Monday in preparation for deliberations in the federal corruption trial of for Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges.

What You Need To Know

  • On Monday, jury received instructions for the trial with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former GOP Chair Matt Borges

  • Both Householder and Borges have been charged with racketeering conspiracy

  • It's because of their alleged involvement in a $60 million bribery scheme

  • They could face up to 20 years if convicted

Lawyers for the prosecution and defense spent the morning going over 72 pages of instructions of Judge Timothy Black. After six weeks of testimony and evidence, jurors could begin considering the fates of the two men as soon as Tuesday.

Householder and Borges are accused of orchestrating a complicated, $60 million bribery scheme with Ohio-based FirstEnergy. Prosecutors claim the pay-to-play plan helped Householder get elected house speaker, and in return, he helped pass HB6, a billion-dollar bailout plan for two nuclear power plants owned by the utility company.

The government brought in a number of witnesses including a former first energy lobbyist Juan Cespedes and Householder’s right hand man Jeffrey Longstreth. Both those men had previously been charged in the case, but pleaded guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors. 

Householder and Borges both pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy. Householder testified that FirstEnergy was just one of several donors who contributed to his campaign and that he passed HB6 because it got eliminated mandates and helped incentivize clean energy. Prosecutors fired back with evidence and questions that countered some of his claims.

Borges didn't testify. Attorneys will begin closing arguments Tuesday, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations at some point this week. Borges and householder both pleaded not guilty. They could face up to 20 years if they’re convicted on all counts.