New emails between PG&E and PUC amount to a 'smoking gun'
Source: Bay Area News Group
SAN FRANCISCO -- New emails disclosing improper contacts between the powerful president of the state Public Utilities Commission and a former PG&E executive are a "smoking gun" showing political corruption at the PUC and should lead to a $200 million fine against PG&E, a consumer group argued Tuesday, the latest fallout from the fatal explosion in San Bruno.
The comments came after a regulatory hearing on Tuesday at which PG&E said that the U.S. attorney's office is formally investigating a series of email exchanges detailing improper discussions on an array of matters related to PG&E. Sources familiar with the matter believe the FBI separately is looking into the matter.
The regulatory hearing Tuesday before PUC Administrative Law Judge Hallie Yacknin was focused on the relatively narrow issue of the fines and punishments PG&E should receive for its role in the email scandal and improper contacts with PUC officials. Yet the hearing quickly became a springboard for discussion of what some critics charge is widespread corruption at the PUC under the controversial leadership of PUC President Michael Peevey.
"The emails are a smoking gun regarding Peevey and PG&E," said Thomas Long, an attorney with The Utility Reform Network, a consumer group.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26680318/san-bruno-new-emails-between-pg-e-and
San Francisco Chronicle: Federal prosecutors probing PG&E-CPUC e-mails
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