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"This sentencing has significant implications, both in the Buckeye State and across the country. By holding Householder accountable, it sends a message to fellow legislators and other public officials that, not only is pay-to-play wrong and illegal, there can be real consequences."

COLUMBUS, OH — Today Common Cause Ohio launched its “Judge the Ads” project, a website dedicated to informing and engaging voters regarding ads for and against candidates in the upcoming Ohio Supreme Court races.

“With Common Cause Ohio’s newly launched timeline tool, we hope to shine a light on our leaders’ missteps and finally hold them accountable. Available to both the public and press, we’re doing the work to keep all Ohioans informed and continue the call for truly transparent mapmaking and districts that will equitably represent Ohio communities and voters.”

The corruption by FirstEnergy highlights the need for greater transparency, beginning first of all with transparency of corporate political spending. With full and transparent information, shareholders can see and decide if the corporation’s political giving is on the up-and-up, and citizens can see if elected officials are “in the pocket” of — and doing the bidding of — their large corporate donors.

Even after the largest scandal in the history of the state, we are nowhere closer to reigning in the influence of money in Ohio politics than we were one year ago. It is not yet too late for us pass new laws that will shine a light on “dark money.” However, our state legislative leaders need to act with urgency and make transparency and accountability a top priority — or Ohioans will undoubtedly face yet another embarrassing scandal.