Deadlock in FirstEnergy Corruption Trial, Retrial Looms

0:00It's March 31st, I'm Cory with the story. This is Durham News Today, driven by AI. Jurors couldn't agree in the corruption trial of two former first-energy executives, Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling. They face charges tied to a $60 million scheme to bribe politicians for a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout and other perks. After more than eight days of deliberations following a six-week trial in Akron, the jury hit a deadlock. The judge, Susan Baker-Ross, had already sent them back once before when they said they were stuck. Now she's letting lawyers talk to jurors if they want, and will meet with attorneys to figure out next steps, possibly declaring a mistrial. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost made it clear the state plans to retry the case, saying justice has to happen. Defense lawyers for Dowling are pushing for acquittal, while Jones' team argues not enough evidence on the bribery charge. This stalls things for the execs and marks a setback for prosecutors. First energy already admitted bankrolling the whole bribery plot, and former House Speaker

1:03of Larry Householder got 20 years for running it. Prosecutors said Jones and Dowling funneled $4.3 million to Sam Randazo, who became head of the Public Utilities Commission, and pushed the bailout bill. Key testimony came from Senator John Hustead about a dinner meeting where lobbying tactics got hashed out. With Randazo dead by suicide after charges, the case hangs in the balance as everyone awaits the judges call on what comes next.