March 28, 2014 (San Diego)--A jury has awarded $1.3 million in punitive damages to David Bryant, a former billing supervisor at SDG&E. Bryant claimed the company fired him after he complained that SDG&E was targeting delinquency notices to low-income ratepayers, so that SDG&E could make money from late payment fees.
Bryant also won more than $860,000 in compensation, in addition to the punitive damages award.
According to Bryant, SDG&E ordered employees to hand deliver delinquency notices to inner-city homes starting in 2008- and the company assessed a $9 charge to ratepayers for this action.
SDG&E was found guilty of wrongful termination and retaliating against Bryant for speaking out.
The company issued a statement indicated it plans to appeal the verdict.
SDG&E says its investigation found Bryant was terminated due to “extremely inappropriate conduct for a supervisor” and for violating company policy.
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