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It’s been nearly a year since Larry Householder was arrested. Will he finally be removed from office?

By Jess Hardin
Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan delivers remarks during a news conference on May 26, 2021.
Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan delivers remarks during a news conference on May 26, 2021.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Democratic caucus wants to root out corruption in Ohio state politics — starting with the removal of state Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford.

State Reps. Jeffrey A. Crossman, D-Parma, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, today announced a resolution to remove the former speaker, who was indicted last year in what's being called the largest public bribery and racketeering scheme in state history.

"Mr. Householder disgraced the House and abused his office by selling legislation to the highest bidder," Lepore-Hagan said Tuesday.

Householder and other close associates are accused of forced passage of Ohio House Bill 6, a controversial, more than $1 billion bailout for FirstEnergy's failing nuclear power plants in the state, which became law in July 2019. They are also accused of using underhanded tactics to quash a public referendum to reverse that bill — all using nearly $61 million in FirstEnergy "dark money."

Householder was arrested by federal agents at his Perry County home in July 2020 but maintains his innocence and continues to serve in the Ohio General Assembly.

After Democrats scheduled this morning's new conference Monday, two House Republicans filed a resolution to remove Householder from office.

But, removal of Householder is just "the first step," said Crossman.

The caucus is pushing for campaign finance reform, including the Ohio Anti-Corruption Act, introduced by Reps. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland.

The legislation would require "dark money" groups to identify their contributors and disclose their spending. It also aims to strengthen bans on foreign money influencing Ohio elections.

"We should not have to rely on the FBI alone to bring pay to play allegations to light," Russo said.

This story was originally published May 26, 2021 at 11:01 AM with the headline "It’s been nearly a year since Larry Householder was arrested. Will he finally be removed from office?."