AKRON, Ohio — As the high-stakes bribery trial for former FirstEnergy CEO Charles “Chuck” Jones and ex-Senior Vice President Michael Dowling nears its January 26, 2026 start date, a fierce legal battle has erupted over the testimony of the company’s chief whistleblower.
The defence team is moving to aggressively limit what Jason Lisowski, FirstEnergy’s Chief Accounting Officer, can reveal to a jury regarding a $4.3 million payment that prosecutors call a bribe masquerading as a consulting fee.
The Accountant’s “Road Map” to Corruption
Jason Lisowski isn’t just a witness; he is the architect of the 2020 “Tone at the Top Control Deficiency” memo. This internal document has served as a forensic road map for state and federal prosecutors. In the memo, Lisowski concluded that the multi-million dollar payout to Sam Randazzo—made just weeks before his appointment as Ohio’s top utility regulator—lacked any “apparent legal obligation.”
Defense attorneys for Jones and Dowling argue that Lisowski’s testimony is “hearsay” because his conclusions were influenced by company lawyers and private communications. They contend that Lisowski acted not as a firsthand investigator, but as a “facsimile” for the company’s legal position after Jones and Dowling were ousted.
Why This Trial Matters: The Sam Randazzo Connection
The core of the state’s case centers on a $4.3 million “termination fee” paid in January 2019.
- The Payor: FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling.
- The Payee: Sam Randazzo, then a private consultant.
- The Timing: Weeks before Governor Mike DeWine appointed Randazzo as Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
Prosecutors allege this was a quid pro quo. Once in power, Randazzo allegedly helped pass House Bill 6 (HB6)—a billion-dollar nuclear bailout—and waived a critical 2024 rate case that would have forced FirstEnergy to lower electricity prices for millions of Ohioans.
| Key Figure | Role in Scandal | Current Status |
| Chuck Jones | Former FirstEnergy CEO | Awaiting trial; pleaded not guilty. |
| Mike Dowling | Former Senior VP | Awaiting trial; pleaded not guilty. |
| Sam Randazzo | Former PUCO Chairman | Deceased (Suicide, April 2024). |
| Larry Householder | Former House Speaker | Convicted; serving 20-year sentence. |
Corporate Litigation Trends and “High-Stakes” Defence
The attempt to block Lisowski is part of a broader strategy by the 19 defence attorneys—a “flock” of legal experts from D.C., Chicago, and Cleveland. Their motions have sought to suppress a wide range of evidence, including:
- Chuck Jones’ $65 million salary during the period of the alleged scheme.
- Mike Dowling’s luxury vacation home.
- Previous guilty pleas from other FirstEnergy associates.
State lead prosecutor Matt Meyer argues that Lisowski’s testimony is vital because he was the one who personally processed the payment. “If Jason Lisowski viewed these things and gained personal knowledge… he’s allowed to testify about them,” the state maintains.
Frequently Asked Questions: The FirstEnergy Bribery Trial & Scandal
The prosecution of former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling is one of the most complex white-collar criminal cases in U.S. history. Here are the answers to the most pressing questions surrounding the upcoming trial.
1. What exactly is the “FirstEnergy Bribery Scandal”?
The scandal centers on a $60 million bribery scheme orchestrated to pass House Bill 6 (HB6) in 2019. Prosecutors allege that FirstEnergy funneled millions through “dark money” groups to then-House Speaker Larry Householder. In exchange, HB6 provided a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear power plants owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary and decoupled revenue to guarantee company profits.
2. Why are Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling on trial now?
While Larry Householder was convicted in federal court in 2023, state and federal prosecutors spent additional years building a specific case against the executives. They are accused of authorizing a separate $4.3 million bribe to Sam Randazzo in early 2019 to secure his favor just before he was appointed as Ohio’s top utility regulator (PUCO Chairman).
3. Who is Jason Lisowski and why is his testimony contested?
Jason Lisowski is FirstEnergy’s Chief Accounting Officer. In 2020, he authored a “Tone at the Top” memo concluding that the $4.3 million payment to Randazzo had no legal basis and was likely “unlawful.”
- The Defense Argument: Attorneys for Jones and Dowling want to block his testimony, claiming his conclusions were “hearsay” based on information from company lawyers rather than personal investigation.
- The Prosecution Argument: They argue Lisowski’s role as the top accountant gave him firsthand knowledge of how the money was booked and hidden.
4. What happened to Sam Randazzo?
Sam Randazzo was indicted by both state and federal grand juries for his role in accepting the alleged bribes. However, Randazzo died by suicide in April 2024, shortly after the charges were filed. While he cannot be tried, his actions and communications remain central to the evidence against Jones and Dowling.
5. Has FirstEnergy as a company been punished?
Yes. In 2021, FirstEnergy entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice. The company:
- Admitted to the bribery scheme.
- Paid a $230 million penalty.
- Fired several top executives, including Jones and Dowling.
- Recently (December 2025) was ordered to refund $250 million to customers for unrelated regulatory failures discovered during the fallout.
6. What are the potential penalties for the executives?
Jones and Dowling face multiple state felony charges, including bribery, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and tampering with records. If convicted on all counts, they could face 10 to 20+ years in prison.
7. When does the trial begin?
The state trial in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is scheduled to begin on January 26, 2026. A separate federal trial date has not yet been set.