Organization
Generation Now
The 501(c)(4) dark-money conduit that laundered ~$60M of FirstEnergy money into the HB 6 scheme.
◐ 6 linked from6 tags12 sourcesUpdated Jul 10, 2026
Generation Now
Generation Now was the 501(c)(4) "social welfare" nonprofit used to launder roughly $60 million of FirstEnergy money into the HB 6 bribery scheme. Because 501(c)(4)s do not disclose donors — the loophole detailed in Dark Money and Campaign Finance in Ohio — the corporate source of the cash stayed hidden while it bought a House Speaker and a billion-dollar bailout.
What it is
A dark-money vehicle set up by the Larry Householder political operation. On paper a "social welfare" group; in practice a pass-through for utility cash into campaigns and the anti-repeal fight.
Key facts and dates
- Took roughly $60 million from FirstEnergy to elect a Larry Householder-loyal slate (2018) and pass HB 6 (2019), plus ~$38 million more to defeat the repeal referendum.
- Also received $700,000 from AEP's dark-money group Empowering Ohio's Economy (2017-2019).
- Pleaded guilty to federal racketeering in February 2021.
Relationships
- The financial hinge between FirstEnergy (and AEP Ohio) and Larry Householder.
- Its opacity is the exact target of the disclosure bills the Ohio General Assembly has repeatedly shelved.
Why it matters in 2026
- Generation Now is the template: nothing in Ohio law prevents another anonymous 501(c)(4) from doing it again, which is why campaign-finance disclosure is a live issue in the Ohio 2026 Attorney General Race and the Ohio General Assembly contests.
Sources · 12
1
A Cycle of Corruption: A Timeline of the Householder HB6 Scandal
2
Supreme Court denies appeal of Householder, Borges convictions in $60M scheme
3
Supreme Court denies appeal of ex-Ohio House speaker's and lobbyist's convictions in $60M scheme
4
Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder Indicted on 10 State Felony Counts
5
Cuyahoga County judge denies Larry Householder's motion to dismiss state charges; trial to begin in June
6
Ex-Ohio House speaker Larry Householder's lawyer to testify against him
7
Former Ohio utilities panel chair Sam Randazzo, accused in state bribery scheme, has died
8
Energy consultant says Randazzo stole millions from him, other clients before DeWine appointment
9
PUCO approves FirstEnergy settlement agreement providing $275M to customers for HB 6 scandal
10
PUCO approves settlement increasing restitution to customers in FirstEnergy / House Bill 6 investigations
11
Ex-Ohio Speaker Larry Householder open to plea deal to avoid state corruption trial, say attorneys
12
Ohio FirstEnergy bribery scandal