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) – “We are out of space!” City Dogs Cleveland said as they begged for help after taking in 60 pups within just four days.
“Unfortunately, the dogs haven’t slowed down and we are not getting enough back into homes. We still urgently need help from our community to find homes for dogs!” City Dogs Cleveland stated on Nov. 8.
Top Row: Syrena, Starburst, Rita, Garth
Middle Row: Rowena, Enoki, Morty, Big Larry
Bottom Row: Ceasar, Glinda, Turbo, Razzle(City Dogs Cleveland)
City Dogs Cleveland wants to get lost dogs back to their owners.
Click here to see all of the lost/found dogs in the kennel.
The Cleveland kennel is located at 9203 Detroit Avenue and can be reached at 216-664-3069.
“If you don’t reach someone live right away, PLEASE leave a voicemail as these are checked regularly,” City Dogs insisted. “If you know anyone who is missing a pet, please have them check the kennel ASAP!”
If you would like to adopt one (or more!) click here to see the precious pups just waiting to be part of your family.
For those who can’t make the adoption event or want to avoid a potential wait, click here to set up a meet and greet with the dog who is pulling on your heartstrings from the photos.
The $61 adoption fee includes:
Even if you aren’t able to adopt at this time, but still have some room in your home and heart, you can click here to learn about fostering a dog.
“It will save a life, but isn’t a lifelong commitment,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
If you only have room in your heart and your schedule, become a volunteer!
The City of Cleveland said volunteers can help with:
Email citydogs@city.cleveland.oh.us or call 216-664-3069 for more information about future volunteer opportunities.
For those who are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help, the kennel is always in need of monetary and item donations, like the dogs’ favorite chew dogs.
“Providing the dogs with in-kennel enrichment is so important when our facility is so full,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
You don’t even have to go to the store or stop by the kennel to drop off your donations!
Just purchase these items from the City Dogs wish lists on Amazon or Chewy, and they will be automatically delivered to the kennel.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Amazon wish list.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Chewy wish list.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets, November 9, 2025
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns fans were busy digging their heads in the sand on Sunday when their phones buzzed to give them more bad news.
Around the same time one Cleveland franchise became the first since 2013 to allow a kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same quarter on Sunday, another became the first in its sport this century to have two players indicted on federal gambling charges. And it wasn’t even 2 o’clock Cleveland time.
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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (6-3) vs Chicago Bulls (6-2)
Where: Rocket Arena — Cleveland, OH
When: Saturday, Nov. 8 at 8:00pm EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Cavs -8
Cavs Injury Report: Darius Garland – OUT (injury management), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Larry Nance Jr. – OUT (knee), Chris Livingston – OUT (G-League)
Bulls Injury Report: Coby White – OUT (calf), Zach Collins – OUT (left scalphoid), Ayo Dosunmu – PROBABLE (Quad)
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