Update - August 14, 2026 Mayor of Lawrence, MA indicted for misappropriation of COVID funds Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña (left, in interview) and scene related to his arrest - Credit: NBC Boston On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the arrest and charging of Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña (also styled Depena/DePena), 61, a Democrat first elected in 2021 and reelected in 2025. He faces one count of wire fraud and one count of m

Ex-First Energy executives, Ohio utility regulator charged by state in bailout and bribery scandal • Ohio Capital Journal - Credit: ohiocapitaljournal.com One of the largest public corruption cases in modern U.S. history unfolded in Ohio, where electric utility giant FirstEnergy allegedly funneled tens of millions of dollars in bribes to secure a billion-dollar bailout for its nuclear plants at the expense of ratepayers. The scandal, centered on House Bill 6 (HB6), exposed a