Ohio News
Jul 24, 2021
Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal J. Patel, center, accompanied by FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman, speaks during a news conference in Cincinnati, Thursday, July 22, 2021. Federal authorities say Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. would pay a $230 million penalty and fully cooperate as part of an agreement announced Thursday to settle federal charges against the company in a sweeping bribery scheme in Ohio. (AP Photo/Farnoush Amiri)
By MARK GILLISPIE, JULIE CARR SMYTH and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) — The energy giant at the center of a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio admitted Thursday to using dark money groups to fund the effort, and agreed to pay $230 million and other conditions so prosecutors won’t forge ahead with a criminal case against the company.