AP: DeWine Knew Of Randazzo's Ties To FirstEnergy Prior To Appointing Him To Lead PUCO

A previously undisclosed document shows Ohio Governor Mike DeWine disregarded a last-minute plea from Republican insiders in selecting the utility regulator now under legal and financial scrutiny. Sam Randazzo was the pick to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Several sources tell the Associated Press on condition of anonymity fellow Republicans tried to warn DeWine Randazzo was unsuitable because of questionable ties to Akron-based FirstEnergy. The AP obtained a copy of a dossier containing those concerns that was given to a member of DeWine's staff. DeWine again defended his selection in an AP interview this week. Randazzo resigned in November.