All articles tagged with #bribery scandal
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Al Jazeera
Argentinian President Javier Milei was forced to leave a rally after protesters threw rocks and objects at his vehicle amid escalating political tensions and a bribery scandal involving his sister, as key elections approach that could significantly impact his presidency.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox News
New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim won the Democratic primary, defeating Lawrence Hamm and Patricia Campos Medina, and will challenge Sen. Bob Menendez, who is running for re-election as an Independent amid a bribery scandal. Menendez and his wife face multiple criminal charges but have pleaded not guilty. Kim's victory follows significant momentum and support, including backing from Sen. John Fetterman, and a successful lawsuit challenging New Jersey's primary ballot design.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Ohio Capital Journal
Sam Randazzo, former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, has died by suicide amidst state and federal charges related to a utility scandal involving alleged bribery and misconduct with Akron-based FirstEnergy. The scandal involved over $60 million in bribes paid by FirstEnergy in exchange for a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout. Randazzo, who was also an energy consultant, was accused of secretly receiving payments from FirstEnergy while serving as a regulator and helping draft bailout legislation. His death comes after other figures involved in the scandal have faced legal consequences, including former House Speaker Larry Householder and lobbyist Neil Clark.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Columbus Dispatch
Sam Randazzo, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, has died by suicide while facing criminal charges related to a bribery scandal involving FirstEnergy. He was accused of accepting millions in bribes and embezzling from clients. Randazzo, appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine, had advocated for legislation benefiting FirstEnergy before resigning in 2020. This comes after another individual involved in the case, lobbyist Neil Clark, also died by suicide.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by News 5 Cleveland WEWS
Former FirstEnergy executives, including the ex-CEO and VP, pleaded not guilty to charges related to an alleged bribery scheme to influence Ohio's regulatory structure. The scandal involved a $4.3 million bribe to a former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Customers are furious as they continue to pay increased bills, with little restitution, and are calling for transparency and accountability from the utility company. The scandal has led to federal and state indictments, but efforts to repeal the corrupt legislation and implement ethics laws have faced challenges.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by News 5 Cleveland WEWS
Three major players, including former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones, have been charged with a combined 27 counts of felony violations in connection to the House Bill 6 scandal, marking a significant development in the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history. The whistleblower, Tyler Fehrman, who exposed the mass public corruption at the Statehouse, expressed satisfaction with the arrests, emphasizing that those involved "deserve to have everything taken away from them." The scandal involved a $61 million bribe to pass legislation benefiting FirstEnergy, and while federal indictments had been previously handed out, this marks the first state-level charges. The indictment alleges serious acts, and there are bipartisan efforts to repeal H.B. 6 and implement ethics laws to prevent similar schemes in the future.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by cleveland.com
Former FirstEnergy Corp. CEO Charles Jones, former PUCO Chairman Samuel Randazzo, and former top lobbyist Michael Dowling were booked and released from Summit County Jail after posting 10 percent of $100,000 bond. They are to be arraigned on public corruption charges in Summit County Common Pleas Court. The charges stem from payments made to Randazzo to influence legislation involving a $1.3 billion bailout of nuclear plants. The indicted individuals deny the charges, with their attorneys stating that the allegations are false and not supported by credible evidence.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fortune
Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and former Senior Vice President Michael Dowling have been indicted on multiple felony charges related to a $60 million bribery scandal in Ohio. They failed to surrender as promised and are now on the run. The indictments also include additional charges against former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Sam Randazzo. This marks the latest development in what has been labeled the largest corruption case in Ohio history, involving a web of bribery, theft, and money laundering.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by cleveland.com
Former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling, along with former top Ohio utilities regulator Sam Randazzo, have been indicted on a combined 27 counts related to a bribery scandal involving the Akron-based utility. The indictments are the latest development in a larger corruption scandal that has already resulted in prison sentences for two individuals, including a former Ohio House speaker. The charges allege that the individuals manipulated the state's regulatory structure to benefit FirstEnergy, with Randazzo accused of accepting a $4.3 million bribe from the company. This is the first time that charges have been filed against any current or former FirstEnergy officials for paying bribes, and it's the first time state-level charges have been filed in the scandal.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox Business
A massive bribery scandal involving 70 suspects, including NYCHA officials, has been uncovered in New York City, with individuals accused of taking kickbacks from contractors in exchange for no-bid jobs and extorting reluctant payers. The suspects allegedly raked in over $2 million on $13 million worth of small jobs, and the scandal involves naked Zoom calls, trips to Europe, and homegrown "heroes" who rose to management positions. The federal investigation, described as the largest bribery bust in Justice Department history, has led to charges carrying maximum sentences of 10 to 20 years in federal prison for the accused.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post
70 current and former employees of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) were charged in a bribery scheme, with superintendents and administrators pocketing a collective $2 million over 10 years in bribes to secure work contracts at their properties. The charges represent the largest number of federal bribery raps brought in a single day in Department of Justice history. The defendants allegedly received more than $2 million in bribes between 2013 and 2023, with typical kickbacks ranging from $500 to $2,000. The scandal involved a range of employees, including those who were once praised as "heroes" and even one who was suspended for appearing naked in bed with a woman during a work-related video call.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard," a defense contractor involved in a major bribery scandal, has returned to the United States from Venezuela as part of a prisoner swap. He is expected to face additional charges for failing to appear at a hearing in his ongoing bribery case. Francis, who had been in custody in Venezuela since his arrest, was transferred to the Southern District of California. He is accused of offering cash bribes to Navy officials and defense contractors. The scandal led to the conviction of numerous individuals. The prisoner swap also involved the release of 10 American detainees by Venezuela in exchange for the Biden administration freeing a Colombian-born businessman charged with money laundering.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Forbes
"Fat Leonard" Francis, a former U.S. Navy defense contractor involved in a massive bribery scandal, is set to return to U.S. custody as part of a prisoner swap deal with Venezuela. Francis, who operated a defense contracting business in Singapore, pleaded guilty in 2015 to bribing Navy officers with cash, prostitutes, and extravagant gifts. He overbilled the Navy for services and faced up to 25 years in prison before escaping house arrest in San Diego. The prisoner swap, brokered by the Biden administration, also resulted in the release of 10 Americans held in Venezuela.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Rolling Stone
New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bob Menendez, following Menendez's indictment on charges of accepting bribes. Kim, who initially called for Menendez's resignation, cited the senator's response and the seriousness of the allegations as reasons for his decision to run. Kim hopes to restore trust in government and engage directly with voters, emphasizing his track record of winning tough races and his dedication to public service.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Four former Navy officers convicted in the "Fat Leonard" bribery scandal, one of the worst in Navy history, had their felony convictions vacated due to allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. The officers pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and were fined $100 each. The lead federal prosecutor was found to have committed "outrageous" misconduct by withholding information from defense lawyers. The officers had been convicted of accepting bribes from defense contractor Leonard Francis and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia. The case exposed widespread corruption and embarrassment within the Navy.