Dive Brief:
- State investigators have searched the home of California's former top utility regulator Michael Peevey, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, removing computers and other items related to an investigation of improper communication with Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
- Investigators also searched the home of former PG&E Vice President Brian Cherry, who was fired amid the scandal when emails revealed what critics call a cozy relationship with regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission.
- The search warrants indicate the state was searching for evidence of judge-shopping, bribery and obstruction of justice, among other things.
Dive Insight:
The fallout from the PG&E judge-shopping controversy continues, with state law enforcement officials appearing to widen their investigation. Both Peevey and Cherry's home were searched and items were removed. And the Chronicle reports that in addition to the controversy over PG&E lobbying for a favorable judge in its rate proceeding there are also concerns Peevey may have requested political contributions and the utility offered to back certain projects in exchange for higher rates.
It is the second search warrant to be served in the case. In November, agents searched the office of Paul Clanon, who has since retired from his post as executive director of the CPUC.
Last fall PG&E fired three executives for improper communications with state regulators in an exchange of emails where the utility appeared to be negotiating for a favorable administrative law judge. Peevey asked his chief of staff to resign by mutual agreement for responding to PG&E's emails, and Peevey himself stepped down from the commission when his term ended last year.
The commission fined PG&E $1 million for the emails, but the investigation is continuing.
