COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sam Randazzo, the former head of Ohio’s Public Utility Commission, was found dead on Tuesday, as reported by authorities. His death follows his indictment on charges related to the state’s largest public bribery scandal.
Randazzo, aged 74, was discovered deceased inside a building in downtown Columbus. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is currently investigating his death as a suspected suicide.
In a significant development on February 9, Randazzo, along with Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Senior Vice President Michael Dowling, were indicted by a Summit County grand jury. The charges against them included bribery, theft, engaging in corrupt activities, tampering with records, and money laundering.
Randazzo resigned from his position in November 2020 after FBI agents searched his Columbus residence. This event occurred shortly after FirstEnergy disclosed in security filings a $4.3 million payment to him, intended for future assistance at the commission. Notably, this payment was made just a month before Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Randazzo as Ohio’s top utility regulator.
These indictments mark the latest development in what has been described as Ohio’s most significant corruption case to date. Former House Speaker Larry Householder received a 20-year federal prison sentence last year for his involvement in orchestrating the scheme, convicted of racketeering. Additionally, lobbyist and former state Republican chairman Matt Borges received a five-year sentence for his role.