Overview
- U.S. Sen. Jon Husted appeared via Zoom as a defense witness in the Akron trial of ex-FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling.
- Husted said he did not recall details of a Dec. 18, 2018 dinner with then Gov.-elect Mike DeWine, Jones and Dowling, and said he was unaware the executives planned to meet Sam Randazzo afterward.
- He confirmed he had discussed the general progress of House Bill 6 with Jones and Dowling, as reflected in texts shown throughout the case.
- Jurors were reminded of messages in which Randazzo sent Dowling “Total 4,333,333,” Dowling replied “Got it, Sam,” and Jones later wrote that payments would be handled “paid in full, no discount.”
- Jones and Dowling face nearly a dozen state charges and earlier federal racketeering indictments, as the state contends $4.3 million went to Randazzo and about $61 million was spent to pass HB 6; Randazzo died by suicide in April 2024 and Larry Householder is serving 20 years.