In a news release issued today announcing earnings, Charles E. Jones, FirstEnergy chief executive officer, made the following statement concerning the recent announcement from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, that the Ohio Speaker of the House [Larry Householder] was arrested and charged in a federal racketeering conspiracy that DOJ alleged involved approximately $60 million paid to a 501(c)(4) entity to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout.

Charles E. Jones, FirstEnergy chief executive officer, stated as follows in the news release:

"We intend to cooperate fully with the Department of Justice investigation involving the Ohio Speaker of the House, and we will ensure our company's involvement in supporting HB 6 is understood as accurately as possible."

"I believe that FirstEnergy acted ethically in this matter. At no time did our support for Ohio's nuclear plants interfere with or supersede our ethical obligations to conduct our business properly. I believe the facts will become clear as the investigation progresses."

--- Statement from Charles E. Jones, FirstEnergy chief executive officer