Larry householder

Larry Householder is the state representative for Ohio's 72nd District and is the two-time and current Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes Coshocton and Perry counties, as well as about half of Licking County. Householder previously served the same district from 1997 to 2004, including as Speaker from 2001 to 2004. Householder was elected to return to the Statehouse in 2016 and selected to serve again as Speaker on January 7, 2019. He was arrested by the FBI on July 21, 2020 on federal charges of money laundering.

Life and career

Householder was born and raised in Junction City, Ohio, where he worked on the family farm.^[1] He then attended Ohio University, receiving a degree in political science.^[2] He is married with five children.

Professionally, Householder ran an insurance agency and served as Perry County Commissioner before seeking higher office. In 1996, Householder ran for State Representative of Ohio's 78th district, challenging incumbent democrat Mary Abel of Athens.^[3] Householder defeated Abel with 55.03% of the vote. He would be elected three more times.^[3]

In 1998, Householder was elected to serve as Assistant Majority Whip.^[4]

In 2001, he was elected to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the highest post in the House.^[5] He would serve as Speaker for two terms. During his tenure as Speaker, Householder led efforts for major legislative reform in Ohio, including introducing concealed carry, passing tort reform and defunding Planned Parenthood—making Ohio the first state to do so.^[6]

In 2004, Householder and several top advisers were under federal investigation for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices. The government closed the case without filing charges.^[7] He would be term-limited in 2004.^[8] Householder later served as a Perry County Auditor.^[9]

Cruntly Larry Householder, a Republican, was arrested Tuesday morning on racketeering charges related to a $1 billion bailout of two Ohio nuclear plants.

Federal investigators say Mr. Householder together with several associates helped push through the state bailout in exchange for $60 million in bribes “akin to bags of cash” that was funneled through a bogus nonprofit called Generation Now, according to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Some of the proceeds allegedly were used to back the campaigns of legislative candidates supportive of Householder’s run for speaker and to personally enrich Householder.

The felony carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Dave DeVillers called the case “likely the largest bribery, money-laundering scheme ever perpetrated against the people of Ohio.”