Nov 19 (Reuters) - The Public Utilities Commission of

Ohio on Wednesday ordered FirstEnergy's ( FE ) Ohio utilities to

pay $250.7 million in penalties and refunds after an

investigation linked to a bribery scandal found the energy

distributor broke state laws and rules.

Ohio-based FirstEnergy ( FE ) previously admitted paying millions

of dollars to state officials to pursue legislation on nuclear

subsidies and other policies that would benefit it. In 2021, the

company agreed to pay $230 million to settle U.S. government

charges in the case.

In two separate orders, the Commission found FirstEnergy's ( FE )

Ohio utilities - Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio

Edison and Toledo Edison - violated Ohio law, PUCO regulations

and PUCO orders.

The Commission found the utilities failed to follow a 2016

Commission order that allowed them to collect funds solely for

grid modernization. Instead, the utilities misused money

collected from customers between 2017 and 2019 to subsidize an

unregulated generation affiliate, in violation of Ohio law.

"Our hope is the events underlying these proceedings will

remain a cautionary lesson of accountability and honesty in

utility regulatory matters," PUCO Chair Jenifer French said.

FirstEnergy ( FE ) did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.