Former state House Speaker Larry Householder was given the maximum 20-year jail term on Thursday in one of the worst corruption cases in Ohio history for organizing a $60 million unlawful bribery operation that powered his rise to political prominence.

Householder, formerly one of Ohio’s most influential legislators, was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and betraying the confidence of the public and sentenced to prison.

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Before handing down a sentence to Householder, U.S. District Judge Timothy Black stated, “Beyond financial greed, I think you just liked power. You weren’t serving the people. You were serving yourself.”

Who is Larry Householder?

Larry Householder is a former American politician who served as the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. Householder, who was born in Glenford, Ohio, on May 6, 1959, is a Republican. He served as the representative for the 72nd district, which includes portions of Licking, Coshocton, and Perry counties.

In 1997, Householder first took a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, where she remained until 2004. He advanced during his first term to become Speaker of the House from 2001 to 2004. However, he was charged with federal corruption in 2004 in connection with a scam involving a power firm that involved bribes and money laundering.

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Householder was later charged, admitted guilt, and was kicked out of the Ohio House of Representatives as a result.

Householder made a triumphant comeback and won reelection to the Ohio House in 2016 after a decade away from politics. He was elected Speaker of the House once more in 2019 and served in that capacity until his arrest in July of that same year. This time, Householder was charged with being the brains behind a $60 million bribery plan associated with the passage of a controversial energy bill known as House Bill 6.

He was arrested as a result of the House Bill 6 affair, and he was subsequently fired as Speaker. He was charged with racketeering and other federal offenses in connection with the bribery conspiracy.

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Black turned down a request to let Householder report to jail. Instead, with his family watching from the front row, two U.S. Marshals shackled Householder behind his back and led him out of court.

Householder concentrated on the effect that a prison sentence would have on his loved ones rather than showing regret for running a massive bribery scam at the Ohio Statehouse. “I would give my life in a heartbeat for my wife and any of my sons,” he declared. Prior to the sentencing, Steven Bradley, Householder’s attorney, attempted a similar defense. Black cut him off by saying, “The harm to his family was caused by him, not by the court.”