Utilities Commission Chair Accused of Shady FirstEnergy Ties and Quid Pro Quo Deals
• Randazzo had a close, friendly relationship with FirstEnergy executives, even dressing up in costumes and sharing memes with them • FirstEnergy allegedly paid Randazzo $4.3 million to help the company pass legislation and save money while chair of the Public Utilities Commission • Randazzo made secret side deals between utilities like FirstEnergy and his industrial clients to trade ratepayer refunds for dropping opposition • Texts show FirstEnergy relied on Randazzo's influence to craft favorable legislation and avoid audits or rate cases • In addition to Randazzo, FirstEnergy's former CEO and VP face criminal charges; prosecutors haven't said if more charges are coming