Ohioans in Toledo Call Out Jon Husted For Key Role in FirstEnergy Corruption Scandal

Ohioans in Toledo Call Out Jon Husted For Key Role in FirstEnergy Corruption Scandal

June 26, 2026

FirstEnergy Hiking Ratesin Toledo Thanks to Husted's Corruption

TOLEDO, OHIO - This week, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, State Representative Erika White, and Ohioans getting crushed by rising utility bills called out Jon Husted for his key role in the FirstEnergy bribery scheme, the largest public corruption scandal in Ohio that delivered a billion dollar bailout to utilities.

The rally comes as Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, announced they are hiking rates for Toledo ratepayers. Jon Husted's corruption involving the FirstEnergy scandal has contributed to electricity costs for Ohioans increasing by $663 a year.

"Jon Husted was at the center of the largest bribery scheme in the history of the state of Ohio. In particular, the citizens of Ohio and Toledo are going to have to pay more on their Toledo Edison bills because of the corruption that was orchestrated by Jon Husted," said Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. "That is an incredible statement if it weren't so sad and weren't so heartbreaking - that instead of serving the interests of Ohioans, Jon Husted has mocked them. He has blamed them for their problems when in reality it's his own actions and policies that have caused Ohioans to be suffering the way they are."

"We are here today because Toledo Edison has announced another rate hike that will impact families who are already struggling. Ohio families deserve answers about Jon Husted's corruption and why that is making them pay more for their energy bills," said State Representative Erika White. "Jon Husted has a lot to answer for, and Ohioans here in Northwest Ohio deserve accountability, answers and deserve transparency. Your electric bill should not be a reminder for political corruption."

As a reminder, Jon Husted remains at the center of the massive FirstEnergy scandal, with recent reporting from the Associated Press revealing Husted's ties to be much deeper than previously known:

• When Husted was forced to testify, his testimony showed discrepancies from public documents and reporting, only raising more questions.

• New evidence during the corruption trial revealed nine calls between Jon Husted and Mike Dowling in the months preceding a $4.3 million bribe to former Utilities Commission Chair Sam Randazzo.

• Recent reporting revealed Jon Husted held secret meetings with Dowling and Jones, including with the "mastermind of Ohio's largest public corruption scheme two days before scandal-ridden bribery legislation was introduced."

• Neil Clark, a FirstEnergy lobbyist and co-defendant with former House Speaker Larry Householder, referred to Husted as FirstEnergy's "golden boy."

• Text messages between Husted, Dowling, and Jones reveal that the trio were in constant communication "before, during and after his campaign."

• Indicted FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones said Husted was a "good friend of FirstEnergy" who was "highly engaged" and "fighting to the end" in support of the massive bail out.

• A dinner between Jon Husted and the indicted FirstEnergy executives at the Athletic Club of Columbus was a focal point of the criminal trial.

• Public records show that FirstEnergy - led by Jones and Dowling - funneled $1 million in dark money to a dark money group backing Husted in 2017, part of the same corrupt scheme that led to federal and state indictments.

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