Renacci asks state auditor to investigate FirstEnergy donations to DeWine campaign – By Jim Mackinnon (Akron Beacon Journal) / July 27 2021
Former U.S. Rep Jim Renacci, running against Gov. Mike DeWine in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, is asking the Ohio state auditor to investigate any financial support DeWine received from Akron’s FirstEnergy Corp. as part of the Larry Householder bribery and racketeering scandal.
Renacci made the demand in a news conference Tuesday afternoon on the steps of the Medina County Courthouse. He also took on members of the Ohio Republican Party in his comments.
Renacci said DeWine and political allies took almost $5 million directly or indirectly from FirstEnergy.
“I’m calling on state Auditor Keith Faber to conduct a full investigation into the money DeWine received in this pay-for-play scandal and how much tainted money he has received,” Renacci said. “The public has a right to know how far and how deep this corruption goes. The state party has been one of DeWine’s biggest financial backers. FirstEnergy gave them money during the H.B. 6 era. Since they were the largest donor to the DeWine-Husted campaign, a full audit of funds received and disbursed for the benefit of DeWine needs to be determined.”
