Cleveland, OH
Sam Randazzo, former top utility regulator accused of taking $4.3 million bribe, found dead
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former top state utility regulator accused of taking a $4.3 million bribe was found dead Tuesday.
Sam Randazzo was pronounced dead just before noon by the Columbus Division of Fire, according to a spokesman for the Franklin County Coroner’s office. He was found by police unresponsive, hanging by a rope in the rafters of a Columbus property. The coroner’s spokesman said it is a suspected death by suicide but will be confirmed in an autopsy.
Randazzo, 74, is the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and has been indicted in both federal and state court for taking bribes from Akron-based FirstEnergy.
Randazzo’s death follows an epic fall from grace. In 2018, he was on his way to retirement after a storied career as a utility lawyer, representing industrial energy users seeking cheaper electricity prices. But following the election of Gov. Mike DeWine, Randazzo applied, and was later appointed to serve as the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
According to both state and federal prosecutors, it was around that time that he accepted a $4.3 million bribe. He has acknowledged receiving the payment but pleaded not guilty to felony charges, insisting the money was an obligatory term of a contractual arrangement. FirstEnergy admitted to paying the bribe in a deferred prosecution agreement in exchange for favorable treatment at the PUCO. Randazzo faced up to 20 years in prison.
While neither judge nor jury has made any finding on those allegations, Randazzo recently lost several important legal battles. The Ohio Supreme Court allowed Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to freeze millions in his assets before trial. A federal judge denied his attempt to move the trial from Cincinnati to his hometown in Columbus.
Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Roger Sugarman, his attorney.
Along with Randazzo, FirstEnergy has also admitted to bribing ex-House Speaker Larry Householder with millions of dollars in exchange for the passage of House Bill 6, legislation that charged ratepayers to bail out nuclear plants owned at the time by FirstEnergy. Householder has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Co-conspirator Matt Borges, a lobbyist, is serving a five year sentence as well. Two other men pleaded guilty to racketeering and testified as government witnesses. A fifth, Neil Clark, died by suicide in early 2021.
DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney declined to comment Tuesday evening.
Jennifer Young, a spokeswoman for FirstEnergy, said the company is “saddened to hear of this tragic news.”
Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.
Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.
When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.
Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition
A gun was recovered at the scene.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.
65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.
Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.
Read Obit below
MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.
Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
If You Could Put Any Cleveland Baseball Player from the Past on the 2026 Team, Who Would it Be?
We are beginning to see the 2026 roster shape up – now it’s time to get your time machines out.
What Cleveland baseball player from the past would make the biggest impact on the 2026 Cleveland Guardians?
Is it 2017 Francisco Lindor anchoring the team from the shortstop position? Or 1948 Lou Boudreau?
Is it 2002 Jim Thome or 2006 Travis Hafner providing thump in the middle of the lineup? Maybe 1953 Al Rosen gets to DH and spell Jose at third?
Is it 2014 Michael Brantely in right field? 1994 Kenny Lofton in center? 2006 Grady Sizemore in center? 1920 Tris Speaker in center?
1995 Albert Belle providing a shock to the system in left?
Or do you want an ace – maybe 2017 Corey Kluber, 1946 Bob Feller, 2008 CC Sabathia, 1969 Sam McDowell, 1972 Gaylord Perry, 2008 Cliff Lee or 1968 Luis Tiant?
Let us know your choice in the comments below!
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