Former GOP Ohio speaker, lobbyist guilty in $60 million bribery scheme
PBS NewsHourAPR 2023
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This is yet another example of the Republican rot that has taken hold in state and local governments across the country. While the FirstEnergy bailout was immensely unpopular with Ohio voters of all political stripes, the Republicans have continued to obstruct efforts to fully repeal the legislation — meaning Ohio's taxpayers are still paying for this dirty deal. Ohio is a profoundly gerrymandered state, and the GOP has gotten far too comfortable in power, with many of them implicated in the scandal, even if they were never charged.
Republican narrative
Let's not forget that the bailout would not have passed without the support of Democrats at the statehouse, and Householder was only able to hold onto the speaker's gavel for so long because of them. It was also a Democrat speaker who established the powers that gave speakers inordinate power over the state government, power that enabled Householder in his situation. Democrats also bear some responsibility for their carelessness in enabling Householder over the years.