Bankruptcy judge orders lobbyists to explain their role in HB 6

A federal judge handling the bankruptcy of a company involved in an allegedly corrupt nuclear bailout has ordered a prominent law firm to explain its role in the affair.

The firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, served both as lead bankruptcy counsel to the company receiving the $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout and as a lobbyist for the effort to pass it last year, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alan M. Koschik wrote last week.

The effort to pass the bailout, House Bill 6, has since blown up into what U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said is likely the biggest bribery scandal in Ohio history.

He alleged that $61 million from Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. and associated companies was funneled through dark-money groups and used to make Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, speaker. Householder then led the effort to pass and defend the bailout, most of which will go to two failing nuclear plants in Northern Ohio.

Read more: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2020/11/27/bankruptcy-judge-orders-lobbyists-to-explain-their-role-in-hb-6/