AKRON, Ohio – In a quarterly earnings report released Thursday afternoon, FirstEnergy CEO Charles Jones said his company “acted ethically” regarding efforts to pass House Bill 6. that federal prosecutors say they were fueled by the bribe.
“We intend to cooperate fully with the Justice Department investigation involving the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and we will ensure that our company’s involvement in supporting HB 6 is understood as accurately as possible.” Jones said. “I think FirstEnergy acted ethically on this issue. At no time did our support for Ohio nuclear plants interfere with or replace our ethical obligations to conduct our business properly. I think the facts will become clear as the investigation progresses. “
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday accuses Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder and four others of accepting $ 60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy to secure legislation that would rescue the two nuclear plants from the Ohio utility. .
Neither the company nor Jones has been charged with a crime.
The Akron-based company had previously declined to comment substantially on the investigation, issuing a statement Tuesday that said only that the company had received subpoenas and intended to cooperate fully.
FirstEnergy’s first-quarter earnings, which totaled $ 309 million, compared to $ 308 million in the second quarter of 2019. The company’s shares fell this week after the arrest announcement.
Jones is expected to update investors on the company’s earnings and investigation during a conference call scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
Editor’s Note: This story previously said Jones made his comments during a call with investors. He made the comments in a quarterly earnings report.
