AKRON, Ohio — Defense attorneys on Friday accused prosecutors of failing to disclose evidence of a key witness’ interviews with prosecutors ahead of the high-profile trial of two FirstEnergy executives accused of bribing a state regulator.
Defense attorney Steven Grimes said prosecutors failed to turn over recordings or notes from interviews that prosecutors conducted with a key witness, former FirstEnergy chief ethics officer Ebony Yeboah-Abankwah.
Prosecutors must disclose all evidence to defense attorneys before trial. He asked for a pause in the trial in order to determine what defense attorneys want to do next.
“This is at best a catastrophic event,” Grimes said.
Assistant Ohio Attorney General Matthew Meyer said prosecutors disclosed all information to the defense.
“This grandstanding in court today is highly inappropriate. It’s certainly not becoming of Mr. Grimes … I’m not impressed by Mr. Grimes and the way he conducts himself, and the facts will speak for themselves.”
The trial is over whether former CEO Chuck Jones and the company’s former top lobbyist Michael Dowling bribed Sam Randazzo shortly before Randazzo became chairman of the Public Utilities of Ohio Chairman in 2019. Jones and Dowling face charges including racketeering, bribery and conspiracy.
Jones’ and Dowling’s trial has gone on for eight days with seven witnesses. The move for a mistrial came as former FirstEnergy chief ethics officer Yeboah-Abankwah testified on-cross examination that she met several times with prosecutors.
Grimes said no law enforcement was present, no report was written and no
“To do it once is negligent,” Grimes said. “To do it two more times and lie about it is reprehensible.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
