It seems as though FirstEnergy Corp. may have resorted to a little creative accounting to hide the extent to which it was spending on lobbying — and what it was trying to accomplish. But federal regulators have concluded at least $1.5 million of what was spent on “lobbying” Ohio lawmakers for a nuclear plant bailout came from ratepayers.

The company spent $71 million on what some have labeled downright bribery. Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four associates were arrested in 2020 during a federal investigation.

FirstEnergy seemed to be getting away with just a slap on the wrist at first. It agreed in July to pay $230 million in penalties to avoid prosecution. After finishing an audit, federal regulators told the company it owes customers some money, too. The audit concluded it was overcharging as a result of the improper accounting.

FirstEnergy spokesman Mark Durbin said the utility accepted the findings and recommendations in the audit and that changes in its accounting practices have been made or are underway. Meanwhile, too many politicians are willing to be recipients of such “lobbying” efforts, as they too have come to believe it is simply the way things get done.

Perhaps regulators will use the FirstEnergy case as inspiration for working harder to ensure that corporations, lawmakers and public officials keep their hand out of the cookie jars taxpayers have no choice but to keep filled.