COLUMBUS — (UPDATED July 23 @ 10:55 p.m.:) Reactions have been swift to the federal criminal complaint accusing Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, and others in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme:
Gov. Mike DeWine called the announcement of the charges “a sad day in for Ohio”:
“I am deeply concerned about the allegations of wrongdoing in the criminal complaint issued today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Every American has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Because of the nature of these charges, it will be impossible for Speaker Householder to effectively lead the Ohio House of Representatives; therefore, I am calling on Speaker Householder to resign immediately.
“This is a sad day for Ohio.”
State Attorney General Dave Yost said Householder was “unfit” and also called for his immediate resignation:
The presumption of innocence applies only to criminal charges, and @HouseholderOH is entitled to it.
— Dave Yost (@Yost4Ohio) July 21, 2020
But the federal affidavit filed today — backed up with wiretaps! — makes clear that Householder is unfit to wield the Speaker’s gavel.
He needs to resign now.
Yost also said, "Larry Householder sold out the people of Ohio in exchange for power and dirty money. The 81-page sworn affidavit filed today shows plainly he cannot be trusted to act in the public interest, or trusted with public authority.
“He is entitled to a presumption of innocence regarding the criminality of his acts, but he is entitled to no presumption of continuance in office.”
Yost said if Householder refuses to resign immediately, the House should eject him under Article II, section 6 of the Ohio Constitution.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who served as 99th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives (2005-09), said he is saddened by the criminal complaint against Householder:
“As a former House speaker, it makes me incredibly sad,” Husted said in a statement his office released Tuesday afternoon. “With the announcement of today’s criminal complaints, the Speaker can no longer effectively perform his duties and should resign.
“Ohio is in the midst of a pandemic response and economic downturn, and the institution of the House of Representatives must remain operational, and the integrity of the office and the institution must be restored.”
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper, speaking for the party, said, “The revelations contained in today’s criminal complaint against the Republican Speaker of the House and his associates tell the tale of conspirators who have been at this for a long time and know how to evade accountability for their corrupt actions. That’s because, for decades, the culture of Columbus and the Ohio Statehouse under GOP leadership is fundamentally one of corruption, kickbacks and pay-to-play.
“Keep in mind -- there are two other FBI investigations still active into Ohio Republican politicians, one involving the former Republican Speaker of the House and one involving a major Republican donor and former charter school operator,” Pepper said. “According to the criminal complaint, Larry Householder didn’t stop his activities when these investigations were revealed -- he stepped on the gas.
“As the U.S. attorney indicated, this investigation is ongoing, and we will wait to hear all the facts as they emerge. However, given what was revealed in today’s complaint and the taint of corruption over Ohio legislative activity, we believe Speaker Householder should step down from leadership immediately as he avails himself of his due process rights.
“Our greatest hope for Ohio is that those officials who have defrauded the taxpayers and abused the people’s trust finally have a moment of accountability, whether that comes from the legal system or at the ballot box this November.”
House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes, Akron, echoed Gov. DeWine in calling the criminal case “a sad day for Ohio.” She also called the case a distraction:
“As Ohioans are grappling with a public health and economic crisis like we haven’t seen in generations, this is an unnecessary distraction from the very important business facing our citizens. Because of this, we demand the immediate resignation of Larry Householder as Speaker of the House and implore our Republican colleagues to announce a new leader for this body as soon as possible. We cannot let this situation distract us from the important work that needs to get done.
“There’s no enjoyment in today’s news which will no doubt lead to the further deterioration of the public’s trust in our institutions,” Sykes said.
State Rep. Rick Perales, 73rd District (Western Greene County), said, “I, as any Ohioan should, am deeply troubled” by the criminal complaint.... If proven to be true, these abhorrent actions violate the public trust in our elected officials.
Perales joined other elected officials in recognizing that Householder has rights that include the presumption of innocence.
“The conditions set in the arraignment hearing preclude the Speaker from acting in his official capacity,” Perales said. ”With pressing issues facing Ohioans that requires action by the Ohio House of Representatives, I call on Speaker Householder to resign to allow the Ohio House to continue working for Ohioans.
“I truly hope that those committing wrongs in public office will be held accountable and that justice will be served,” Perales said. “It’s important that the Ohio House move on to continue effectively serving Ohioans in this very tumultuous time.”
House Majority Leadership, including Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Butler, R-Oakwood; Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati; Assistant Majority Floor Leader Anthony DeVitis, R-Green; Majority Whip Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville; and Assistant Majority Whip Laura Lanese, R-Grove City, released the following statement:
“We were shocked to learn of the charges filed today against Speaker Householder. The Ohio House of Representatives remains open, and the members and staff are continuing their work to serve the people of Ohio. We are reviewing the allegations. To our knowledge, no other member of the Ohio General Assembly is under investigation in connection with these allegations. We have not been in contact with Speaker Householder today. Due to the pending investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Thursday, state Sen. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, who represents Ohio’s 12th Senate District, called for Householder to resign or be expelled.
“The federal corruption case Larry Householder faces is shocking and deeply troubling. Conspiracy and racketeering represent an egregious affront to the rule of law, to the legislative process and to the people of Ohio. Based on the sheer gravity and scope of the charges, I believe he should resign as Speaker of the Ohio House. If he fails to resign, I urge my colleagues in the House to immediately remove him as Speaker and expel him from the legislature.”
If Householder resigns, it is possible that Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Butler would become Speaker as he is next in line.
WHIO will continue to update to this developing report.
Cox Media Group
