PUCO received two federal subpoenas in HB6 investigation

Federal investigators sent two subpoenas to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, seeking records related to former commission chairman Sam Randazzo, House Bill 6, Akron-based FirstEnergy and other matters.

Prosecutors and FBI agents wanted Randazzo's calendar, communications and documents from his Microsoft OneDrive account. The PUCO was told to supply the records before the grand jury met on April 28 and June 2, according to subpoenas obtained through a public records request.

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Last month, FirstEnergy Corp. signed a deferred prosecution agreement and statement of facts that documented its use of dark money to bribe Randazzo and former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder.

Householder has pleaded not guilty to racketeering. Randazzo, whose condo was searched in November, has not been charged with any crimes. Both men have said they did nothing wrong.

More:Top state regulator paid millions for part-time work, FirstEnergy agreement shows

Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Randazzo to lead the PUCO in February 2019, a month after his company received a $4.3 million payment from FirstEnergy. The company admitted in federal court that it paid Randazzo that money in exchange for help on the nuclear bailout bill and delaying a 2024 rate case, which could have been costly to the company.

The PUCO is a five-member board appointed by the governor to oversee utilities.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.