An energy company that gave the money…in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio…and a man, accused of spending a large chunk of it…are now arguing in separate proceedings that their actions were legal. FirstEnergyCorp. argues that political donations are protected by the First Amendment…and a federal criminal complaint failed to provide evidence that money was exchanged for official favors. Matt Borges, a former state Republican Party chair and lobbyist…called violations of campaign finance law leveled against him by the state elections chief…absurd and without merit.