FirstEnergy cuts off its ‘dark money’ spigot in Ohio, disclosures show
Oct. 24, 2022
Akron-based utility FirstEnergy has stopped using “dark money” in Ohio after agreeing to disclose future contributions, temporarily abandoning a controversial political spending tactic that was a critical cog in the largest bribery scandal in state history.
Besides some nominal payments, the company has cut off its contributions to Ohio-based nonprofit entities that spend outside money to support politicians, according to disclosures the company is required to make under the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. However, the disclosures show FirstEnergy made about $130,000 in similar payments to political firms in 2021 in New Jersey and West Virginia, where it also operates utilities.
