COLUMBUS, Ohio — 3News has confirmed Sam Randazzo, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio who found himself embroiled in the largest public corruption scandal in state history, has died by apparent suicide at the age of 74.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office says Randazzo was found dead inside a building on East Mound Street in Columbus. According to officials, his body was hanging from a rope in the rafters. Records from the Franklin County Auditor's Office list the building's owner as Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, an LLC owned by Randazzo.
Randazzo's death comes just months following his indictments for bribery in connection with the Ohio House Bill 6 scandal. He faced both state and federal charges for allegedly taking an illegal $4.3 million payment from FirstEnergy prior to his nomination as PUCO chairman.
Details of the scandal first came to light in 2020, when then Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and several others were arrested for their roles in the massive scheme. FirstEnergy later admitted to funneling millions of dollars to state politicians, regulators, and operatives to rally support for HB 6, which bailed out two nuclear power plants (including one in Lake County) that at the time were owned by a company subsidiary.
Months after Householder was charged, the FBI raided Randazzo's Columbus home, and he resigned as PUCO chairman that week. As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, FirstEnergy detailed a $4.3 million bribe it purportedly paid to Randazzo in exchange for his help supporting its agenda, including the tainted bill.
Despite these details, Randazzo did not face criminal charges until December of 2023, when he surrendered to authorities in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. His assets were subsequently frozen, and this past February, the state of Ohio further indicted him on the following felony charges:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- One count of grand theft (F1)
- Two counts aggravated theft (F2)
- One count of bribery (F3)
- Three counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
- Eight counts of money laundering (F3)
- Six counts of tampering with records (F3)
Randazzo had pleaded not guilty in the case, which also resulted in the arrests of ex-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling. In addition, Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio and Industrial Energy Users-Ohio Administration Company (also controlled by Randazzo) face allegations involving corruption, fraud, and theft.
Householder is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for his part in the scheme, and HB 6 has since been partially repealed. FirstEnergy agreed to pay a $230 million penalty, while its former subsidiary was spun off as the independent company Energy Harbor and has since been bought by Texas-based Vistra.
Dave DeNatale and Ryan Haidet contributed to this report.
If you or someone you think is struggling, you can the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or online at 988lifeline.org. You can also text HELLO to reach the Crisis Text Hotline or go to FirefigterSuicidePrevention.org.
A comprehensive list of suicide prevention resources can be found on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) website.