Artist's interpretation of cross-examination in Larry Householder's public corruption trial. WCPO



Yesterday, former House speaker Larry Householder took the stand in his own defense. 



Things didn't go well



Householder said the $514,000 of FirstEnergy's money that his top aide spent paying down Householder's credit cards, legal debts and home repairs was not a bribe but a loan <[link removed]>.



On cross examination, some big pieces of Householder's testimony started to crumble. Specifically, his claims of non-interaction with FirstEnergy officials at a key weekend in Washington D.C. The prosecutor showed a photo of Householder, his son, Mike Carey and Jeff Longstreth in a limo with metadata listed on 1/18/2017.



After testifying that he wanted to restore peace in the legislature, prosecutor Emily Glatfelter played a recording from 3-30-18: "We like war." he said. Then suggested sending a message to two legislators who were "NO" votes on HB6: “Do you think we should make a movement on Lipps and Greenspan and just say if you’re going to f--- with me, I’m going to f--- with your kids,” Householder could be heard saying.



He semi-confessed to committing perjury



Householder had said in testimony that he wasn't involved in the Generation Now ads that were negative toward the referendum.



But Glatfelter played a recorded phone call between Householder and lobbyist Neil Clark working on language for an attack ad against Kevin Black, Householder's opponent in the 2018 primary.



It is possible he had been involved, he admitted. 



The defense rests



Geoff Verhoff - an official with Akin Gump - a Washington, D.C. public-affairs firm that helped form the strategy behind the passage of House Bill 6 filed a motion to invoke fifth amendment rights and quash a subpoena to testify.



Evidence in the trial is now closed, closing arguments will be heard next Tuesday and the case is expected to go to the jury next week.



Watching PUCO website launched



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While all of Ohio is watching the Householder corruption trial unfold, who has been watching the PUCO? Bribery & backroom deals under Sam Randazzo's chairmanship contributed directly to the scandal surrounding HB 6.



But we are watching. Learn more and take action: watchingpuco.com <[link removed]>



Sign up to attend 



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Shine a Light on the Statehouse: What Can We Learn from the Householder/Borges Trial?  <[link removed]>



This virtual event on Wed., March 15 at 6:00 pm will be a discussion from a panel of political and environmental journalists who have spent their careers shining the light on Ohio’s government and elections.



Learn about Ohio’s Sunshine Law, how the Householder/Borges trial is a great example of what happens in the dark, and what reforms are needed to make sure this kind of scandal can never happen again in Ohio.



Please help us stand up to corruption





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Ohio Citizen Action





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