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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.
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
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
Sign up to attend
Shine a Light on the Statehouse: What Can We
Learn from the Householder/Borges Trial?
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
Thanks for your support!
Ohio
Citizen
Action
P.S. We're hiring field canvassers in Cleveland,
Columbus and Akron! Do you know anyone who wants to make a difference
while making a living? Tell them to apply today.
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