Bribery trial of ex-Ohio House speaker to begin in earnest

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CINCINNATI (AP) — Opening statements are scheduled Monday in former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s bribery trial.

Federal prosecutors allege the Republican oversaw a $60 million scheme secretly funded by FirstEnergy Corp. through which he secured power and worked to pass a $1 billion nuclear bailout.

The former U.S. attorney called it the largest corruption case in state history.

Associate Matt Borges is a former chair of the Ohio Republican Party and is also being tried.

Each faces a single charge of racketeering punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

The trial could last six weeks.