Category: News

Columbus, Ohio- Following new reporting over the weekend that revealed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s previously unreported second signal chat containing classified war plans, it’s clear that his reckless actions put Americans in danger. As our troops are put in unnecessary danger by an unfit defense secretary, we’re asking Senators Husted and Moreno to call on Hegseth to resign.

This isn’t the first time Hegseth has recklessly put Americans in harm’s way. Earlier this year, reporting revealed an initial signal chat that a journalist was added to where Hegseth and senior administration officials.

Senators Husted and Moreno confirmed Hegseth even after a troubling series of allegations including a history of alleged sexual assault and payments to keep accusers quiet. During the confirmation process when questions about Hegseth’s readiness for the job were raised, Senator Husted said in an interview that it was time to get Trump’s cabinet nominees “confirmed and move on.”  Senator Moreno even called him “exactly the type of leader we need at the Pentagon.” 

“Earlier this year, it was clear that Senator Husted and Senator Moreno’s disinterest in doing their jobs and vetting cabinet nominees had the potential to turn dangerous- and now one of those nominees they rubber stamped has put our troops in danger,”  said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Husted and Moreno still have a chance to do the right thing and call on Hegseth to resign after endangering our soldiers.”

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The post Husted & Moreno Must Call on Hegseth to Resign appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- Today, reporting from the Columbus Dispatch highlighted new filings in the bribery case against former FirstEnergy Executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling that indicated bribes may have been paid to more public officials than previously known.

This latest development comes on the heels of a new HBO documentary that spotlighted Ohio’s FirstEnergy bribery scandal, which has already led to federal charges and sentences for former Speaker Larry Householder. Under Republican control, Ohio has earned a reputation as the most corrupt state government in the country– and we’re still learning about more corrupt Ohio politicians every day.

READ: Are the feds going to say FirstEnergy execs bribed more Ohio public officials?

• Attorneys defending for former FirstEnergy CEO want prosecutors to disclose if their client is being accused of bribing more, not yet named, Ohio politicos. 

• New filings in the case against Chuck Jones signal that prosecutors may allege that bribes were paid to more public officials − beyond former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder and former utility regulator Sam Randazzo.

• Jones and his attorneys are trying to force federal prosecutors to give them more details on who he allegedly bribed. In a legal filing made April 11, Jones’ legal team says a recent letter from prosecutors suggest the government may allege that Jones conspired to bribe other public officials.

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The post MUST READ: Columbus Dispatch: Are the feds going to say FirstEnergy execs bribed more Ohio public officials? appeared first on Ohio Democrats.

Columbus, Ohio- This evening at 9 p.m., HBO will air a documentary on Ohio’s House Bill 6 corruption scandal, during which Ohio Republicans, led by then Speaker Larry Householder and current Senator Jon Husted, raised energy bills for Ohioans while bailing out the billionaires who had bribed them. Husted still refuses to answer questions about his involvement even after reporting has revealed his close involvement with the scandal.

Husted claimed he had no role in the legislative process surrounding HB6, but texts from FirstEnergy executives revealed that he was deeply involved in passing the legislation. FirstEnergy made secret donations to his campaign- which of course he refuses to answer questions about.

Under the DeWine/Husted administration, Ohio was named the most corrupt state government in the country. Former public officials and lobbyists have already faced federal charges- and state charges are ongoing. 

READ: Ohio Capital Journal: New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergy’s push for House Bill 6

• Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy executives to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to newly released text messages.

• Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

• But a public records request reveals Husted’s ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling — the ones who helped fund his campaign.

• Once in office, records show that it was Husted, not DeWine, who allegedly helped lead the charge for the bailout bill.

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The post MOVIE NIGHT TONIGHT: HBO to Air Documentary on Senator Husted’s Corruption Scandal  appeared first on Ohio Democrats.