CPUC OFFICIALS TO BE DEPOSED UNDER OATH

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East County News Service

March 28, 2015 (San Diego) – Top officials from the California Public Utilities Commission will soon be questioned under oath in a court of law.

San Diego attorney Maria Severson sued the PUC for hiring a criminal defense law firm after both the state and federal government launched probes into allegations of overly cozy ties between the PUC and the utilities that it is supposed to regulate.

Now Severin has filed notices stating that depositions have been scheduled May 11th and 12th for the new PUC President Michael Picker and Interim Executive Director Timothy  Sullivan.  She also aims to depose former PUC President Michael Peevey and ex-commissioner Michael Florio.

Despite public outcry over a $49,000 initial authorization to retain a criminal defense firm, last week Sullivan signed an amendment raising that to $5.2 million – all taxpayers’ money.  The lawsuit contends that the contract is illegal because the full commission did not vote on the action.  

The state’s Department of General Services, which has authority to review and approve state contracts, is also expected to be deposed.

The questions will focus on hiring of the criminal defense law team, the issue at stake in the lawsuit filed by Severin, partner of San Diego’s former city attorney Mike Aguirre. Severin has asked that the proceedings be open to the public.

The state and federal investigations were initiated after e-mails revealed inappropriate communications between utilities and PUC representatives and staff, including what appeared to be efforts to whitewash Pacific Gas & Electric’s liability for deaths caused by the explosion of a gas pipeline in San Bruno. 

Similar questions of CPUC commissioners’ independence – or lack of it – have been raised regarding the San Onofre nuclear power plants’ shutdown and the handling of health complaints over smart meters.


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Comments

Finally

It's about time the Private Utility Commission was taken to task.