Michael Dowling and Chuck Jones

Former FirstEnergy CEO Charles Chuck Jones and former Senior Vice President Michael Dowling are central figures in the ongoing Ohio House Bill 6 bribery scandal. Both were fired in October 2020 for violating company policies. In February 2024, they were indicted on state charges including bribery, money laundering, and racketeering, centered on an alleged $4.3 million bribe paid to former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo. Their initial state trial resulted in a mistrial in March 2025 due to a hung jury. Two counts of aggravated theft against both men were dismissed in May 2025 after a judge ruled the prosecution could not characterize FirstEnergy as a victim of payments it authorized. In 2025, they were reindicted on expanded state charges, and they also face federal racketeering charges. Jones is additionally subject to a September 2024 civil suit from the SEC for allegedly misleading stockholders. Both men maintain their innocence and have pleaded not guilty to all charges.