Larry Householder
99th and 104th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office
January 7, 2019 – July 30, 2020
Preceded byRyan Smith
Succeeded byRobert R. Cupp
In office
January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byJo Ann Davidson
Succeeded byJon Husted
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 2017 – June 16, 2021
Preceded byBill Hayes
Succeeded byKevin D. Miller
Constituency72nd district
In office
January 3, 2003 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byJoseph Sulzer
Succeeded byRon Hood
Constituency91st district
In office
January 3, 1997 – December 31, 2002
Preceded byMary Abel
Succeeded byDerrick Seaver
Constituency78th district
Personal details
Born
Larry Lee Householder

(1959-06-06) June 6, 1959
Zanesville, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTaundra Householder
Children6
EducationOhio University (BA)

Larry Lee Householder (born June 6, 1959)[1] is a former American politician who was convicted in the largest bribery corruption scandal in Ohio’s history.[2] Mr. Householder was the state representative for Ohio's 72nd district and was a two-time Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party. Householder represented the same district from 1997 to 2004, including as speaker from 2001 to 2004. In 2016, he was elected to the Statehouse again, and on January 7, 2019, he was re-elected to serve as speaker with support from Ohio House Democrats, including current United States Congresswoman Emilia Sykes. His district included Coshocton and Perry counties, as well as about half of Licking County.

On July 21, 2020, the FBI arrested Householder on federal RICO charges.[3][4][5] The charges allege that his return to politics in 2016 was part of a criminal conspiracy.[4] The Ohio House of Representatives unanimously removed Householder as speaker on July 30.[6] In November 2020, Householder won reelection to his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives but he was expelled from the House on June 16, 2021. Householder was convicted of racketeering after a jury trial[7] and received the maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison on June 29, 2023.[8]

Early life and education

Born in Zanesville, Ohio, Householder was raised in Junction City, Ohio where he worked on his family's farm.[1][9] He then attended Ohio University, earning a degree in political science.[10] He is married with five children.

Career

Householder ran an insurance agency and served as Perry County commissioner before seeking higher office.

Ohio House of Representatives

1997–2004

In 1996, he ran for Ohio's 78th House district, challenging incumbent Democrat Mary Abel of Athens.[11] Householder defeated Abel with 55.03% of the vote. He was reelected three times.[11]

In 1998, Householder was elected to serve as assistant majority whip.[12] In 2001, he was elected to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the highest post in the House.[13] He served two terms as speaker, during which he led major legislative reforms, including introducing concealed carry, passing tort reform, and defunding Planned Parenthood—making Ohio the first state to do so.[14]

In 2004, Householder and several top advisers were investigated for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices. The government closed the case without filing charges.[15] He was term-limited in 2004.[16] Householder was later elected the Perry County Auditor.[17]

2017–2021

When incumbent state Representative Bill Hayes ran for Licking County prosecutor in 2016, Householder ran for his old seat, renamed District 72 after redistricting.[18] Householder defeated Cliff N. Biggers in the Republican primary with almost 64% of the vote. He won the general election against Democrat John Carlisle with 72% of the vote.[19] A former Speaker, Householder became a freshman legislator along with former President of the Ohio Senate Keith Faber.[20] On January 7, 2019, a bipartisan majority of legislators elected him to serve again as speaker of the Ohio House.[21]

Library programming controversy

In May 2019, Householder criticized the Ohio Library Council and the Newark Library in Licking County for providing an event for teens in the LGBTQ community at the taxpayers' expense. In response, the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition issued a formal statement noting that their organization paid for the event with a non-governmental grant.[22] Later that evening, the Newark Library canceled the event.[23] The Newark Ohio Pride Coalition found a new location for it.[24]

After his arrest for racketeering in 2020, the event organizers publicly asked Householder to reflect upon his own advice about being a good steward of public money.[25]

Arrest

On July 21, 2020, the FBI arrested Householder and four others in connection with a $60 million bribery case involving the financial rescue of First Energy's two nuclear plants in Ohio, Davis–Besse and Perry. U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers called it "likely the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the state of Ohio".[26][27][28] During a July 21 press briefing, DeVillers said that money from First Energy was filtered through a fake nonprofit organization to pay for bribes and evade campaign finance laws.[4]

Following DeVillers's press conference, Republican Governor Mike DeWine asked Householder to resign.[29] Later that day, Householder released a statement to the press saying he would not resign.[30]

On July 30, 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives voted unanimously to remove Householder as Ohio House Speaker.[31]

On June 16, 2021, the House voted to expel Householder by a bipartisan vote of 75–21.[31][32][33]

On March 9, 2023, Householder was convicted of racketeering in relation to the First Energy scheme.[34]

On June 29, 2023, Householder was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years for his crimes. Following sentencing, Householder was remanded to into custody to begin serving his sentence in federal prison. Under federal law, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence before he can be released. As of August 28, 2023, Householder was transferred to federal prison in Oklahoma. [35]

Personal life

Larry Householder is married to Taundra Householder. They have five sons. They also had a daughter, who died in 1992.[36][37]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sir Knight Larry Householder: Buckeye State Speaker of the House". Knights Templar. June 2002. p. 18. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ https://www.cleveland.com/politics/2023/08/name-of-convicted-ex-republican-ohio-house-leader-larry-householder-shows-up-on-oklahoma-federal-prison-roster.html
  3. ↑ "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". usastoday.com. USAToday. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested; U.S. Attorney, FBI announce charges related to $60 mi". WCMH NBC 4 Columbus. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Larry Householder, 4 others face racketeering conspiracy charges in federal court". daytondailynews.com. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ↑ Tobias, Andrew J. (July 30, 2020). "Ohio House votes to remove Larry Householder as Ohio Speaker following corruption arrest". cleveland.
  7. ↑ https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/jury-convicts-former-ohio-house-speaker-former-chair-ohio-republican-party
  8. ↑ Farise, Adam. "Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder gets maximum 20 years in prison for largest bribery scandal in state history". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  9. ↑ Siegel, Jim (July 2, 2017). "Big personalities, bigger caucus pose challenges for Ohio House Speaker". Canton Repository. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  10. ↑ Ingles, Jo (January 2, 2017). "Ohio's House Speaker Worries Term Limits Will Decrease Experienced Lawmakers in 2017". WKSU. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Linfante, Austin (October 25, 2016). "For the 94th District race, it's Grace's historical precedent versus Edwards' hometown geography". The New Political.
  12. ↑ "Ohio House of Representatives: November 3, 1998 – Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us.
  13. ↑ "The Blade". The Blade.
  14. ↑ "Cincinnati Enquirer". Cincinnati.com.
  15. ↑ Snyder, Kate; Thompson, Chrissie (April 19, 2018). "Householder files lawsuit over negative advertising". Zanesville Times Recorder. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  16. ↑ Suddes, Thomas (September 6, 2015). "Larry Householder's possible second act, Mount Denali follies: Thomas Suddes". cleveland.com.
  17. ↑ "The Buckeye Lake Beacon". The Buckeye Lake Beacon.
  18. ↑ "Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder running for old seat". The Columbus Dispatch. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Larry Householder's possible second act, Mount Denali follies: Thomas Suddes". September 6, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder eyeing old seat". The Washington Times. November 30, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Larry Householder Again Elected Speaker of the Ohio House". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  22. ↑ Taylor March 6, 2019, Jeff. "Ohio Library Cancels Pride Event After Republican House Speaker Complains". LOGO News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ "Ohio House Speaker criticizes Licking County Library's LGBTQ event; library cancels". WBNS-TV. Associated Press. June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  24. ↑ McDonald, Craig. "Canceled LGBTQ teen event back on, moves to Newark's Denison Art Space". The Newark Advocate.
  25. ↑ "Column: Householder's criticism of Pride event applies better to himself".
  26. ↑ Rouan, Rick; Ludlow, Randy (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  27. ↑ Coolidge, Sharon; Horn, Dan; Balmert, Jessie (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  28. ↑ Smyth, Julie Carr; Seewer, John (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House speaker, 4 others arrested in $60M bribery case". news.yahoo.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  29. ↑ "DeWine Calls on Householder to Resign Following Bribery Allegations". WCMH-TV NBC 4 Columbus. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  30. ↑ Pelzer, Jeremy (July 21, 2020). "House Speaker Larry Householder says he won't resign despite arrest". www.msn.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  31. 1 2 "Ohio House votes to remove Larry Householder as Ohio Speaker following corruption arrest". July 30, 2020.
  32. ↑ Pelzer, Jeremy; clevel; .com (June 16, 2021). "Larry Householder expelled from Ohio House amid bribery charge". cleveland. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  33. ↑ "House Resolution 69 | The Ohio Legislature". www.legislature.ohio.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  34. ↑ https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/jury-convicts-former-ohio-house-speaker-former-chair-ohio-republican-party
  35. ↑ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/29/ex-ohio-house-speaker-larry-householder-faces-prison-in-corruption-case/70235375007/
  36. ↑ Christian, Paula (June 28, 2023). "Once the most powerful lawmaker in OH, Larry Householder to serve 20 years behind bars". WCPO-TV. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  37. ↑ Tobias, Andrew J. (March 7, 2023). "Are you just learning about Larry Householder following his arrest? Those in Ohio political circles know all about him". Cleveland.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.


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