Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, already serving time in prison, will once again spend time in court after being indicted on multiple state felony charges.

Those charges allege misuse of campaign money and ethics violations, including one that would permanently ban him from holding public office ever again in Ohio, according to a news release from Attorney General Dave Yost's office.

"This case seeks to hold Mr. Householder accountable for his actions under state law, and I expect that the results will permanently bar him from public service in Ohio," Yost said. "State crimes have state penalties, and a conviction will ensure that there will be no more comebacks from the 'Comeback Kid.'"

Specifically. Householder has been charged with:

  • one count of theft in office,
  • two counts of aggravated theft,
  • one count of telecommunications fraud,
  • one count of money laundering, and
  • five counts of tampering with records.

A conviction in theft in office would ban him from public office of public employment  in Ohio, according to the State Attorney General's office.

Householder was convicted last year on federal charges for his part in a scheme funded by FirstEnergy to secure Householder's power, elect his allies, pass legislation containing a $1 million bailout for two aging nuclear power plants and vex a ballot effort to overturn the bill.

For his part, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

While he was convicted, those federal charges would not prevent him from running for public office.

This is the first time the former lawmaker has faced anything on the state level.