A bombshell in Ohio, as the FBI arrested Republican Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four colleagues on bribery charges connected with a $1 billion bailout for the state's nuclear industry.
"Republican Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four colleagues were arrested by federal officials Tuesday as part of a bribery investigation involving the state’s $1 billion nuclear plant bailout and Householder’s maneuverings to secure support to lead the legislative chamber," report Marc Kovac, Randy Ludlow, and Rick Rouan.
The bailout was approved in the summer of 2019, but the legal controversy lingered until January 2020, when an effort to subject the bailout to a voter referendum failed in the Ohio Supreme Court. Now the controversy really gets ugly.
Householder, "is charged in the alleged racketeering conspiracy involving the funneling of energy company funds through Generation Now, a dark money group formed by a longtime associate, with some proceeds used to back the campaigns of legislative candidates supportive of Householder’s run for Speaker."
Four others arrested as part of the investigation: Matt Borges, the former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party and a lobbyist, Jeffrey Longstreth, a longtime campaign and political strategist for Householder, and Neil Clark, a lobbyist who owns Grant Street Consultants.
The FBI has been busy with corruption investigations in the past several months—all on schemes related to development. Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar was arrested in June, along with several city councilmembers in the city of Toledo, Ohio.
FULL STORY: Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case
Google Inks Nuclear Power Deal
Tech giants are seeking out renewable energy to fuel power-hungry data centers and AI applications.
Small-Scale Nuclear Power Dealt Major Setback
The company that made history in January when its 'small modular nuclear reactor' became the first in the nation to receive certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has canceled it due to financial reasons.
Georgia Makes Clean Energy History in U.S.
The first newly constructed nuclear power plant to generate electricity in the U.S. in over 30 years began operation in Waynesboro, Georgia on July 31.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont