Arraignment hearing for ex-Ohio House Speaker Householder delayed

COLUMBUS — A scheduled appearance in federal court Thursday for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was rescheduled, following a request for a change in legal counsel, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

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The hearing was scheduled to be an arraignment hearing, following Householder’s indictment on federal racketeering charges. However the federal judge presiding the case granted a motion to delay the hearing so Householder could obtain new legal representation.

Householder’s current attorneys, David Thomas and Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein, have asked to withdraw as Householder’s attorneys citing a conflict of interest, our news partners at WBNS-TV report, citing court records.

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However, arraignment hearings for the other four men charged as co-defendants, Juan Cespedes, Neil Clark, Jeff Longstreth and Matt Borges, will be held on Thursday.

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Householder and the other four are accused of operating a $60 million racketeering conspiracy, centered around a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout.

We will continue to update this story as we learn more.

Cox Media Group