Former chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio indicted on 11 charges
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Samuel Randazzo, the former head of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), turned himself in on Monday morning after facing an 11-count indictment by a grand jury. The 74-year-old Randazzo, who served as PUCO chairman from April 2019 to November 2020, is now confronted with serious charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, travel act bribery, honest services wire fraud, wire fraud, and making illegal monetary transactions.
According to federal officials, Randazzo allegedly accepted over $4.3 million from an unidentified energy company in exchange for providing favorable actions during PUCO proceedings. The company, referred to as Company A in the indictment, sought Randazzo’s assistance in addressing a specific problem they were facing. In November 2019, Randazzo included language in PUCO orders that resolved the company’s issue, aligning with their request.
A text message exchange between executives at the energy company revealed their expectations from Randazzo. Stock is gonna get hit with Ohio 2024, a message stated, emphasizing the urgency to resolve the issue. Another message confirmed that Randazzo had assured the company that the problem would be handled the following Thursday, which it ultimately was.
Further text messages in March 2020 indicated that Randazzo still actively aided the energy company while serving as PUCO chairman. Despite concerns about his loyalty to the company, the messages indicated that Randazzo was moving things along. Federal officials claim that Randazzo received bribes from the company through his consulting business, Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, Inc. Additionally, he embezzled at least one million dollars intended for an association of industrial energy users in Ohio using his consulting business.
According to federal officials, Randazzo devised a scheme to keep a portion of settlement payments for himself, entering into settlements with companies on behalf of the industry group. To cover his tracks, Randazzo created a fictitious member of the group and even wired $1.1 million in funds between bank accounts under his control, in the name of the fictitious character.
If convicted on all counts, Randazzo could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The indictment serves as a significant blow to the integrity of Ohio’s public utilities sector, as it highlights alleged corrupt practices at the highest level of the PUCO.
This case raises concerns about maintaining trust and accountability within Ohio’s government institutions. The charges against Randazzo cast a shadow on the regulatory process of PUCO and emphasize the need for stronger ethical safeguards to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, further investigations will likely shed light on additional evidence and potential ramifications for those involved. The implications of this indictment extend beyond a single individual, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in public service.
