City sues Entergy for "unethical, fraudulent billing"

> Sep 24 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Mike D. Smith The Beaumont
> Enterprise, Texas
>
> The city of Beaumont has sued Entergy Texas accusing the electric
> utility of "unethical and fraudulent billing practices"
> that led to a "staggering" amount of overbilling.
>
> The city claims that for years Entergy charged taxpayers for
> streetlights that didn't exist, took payments for maintenance the
> company did not perform and charged higher rates than had been agreed
> to in contracts.
>
> The suit was filed Tuesday in Judge Donald Floyd's 172nd District
> Court. The suit does not state how much the city believes taxpayers
> were overcharged.
>
> According to the suit, an audit by TriStem, a Texas-based
> company, revealed the "shocking trends" in the billing for more than
> 10,000 streetlights.
>
> Entergy Texas officials declined comment, but released a
> statement Wednesday stating that the lawsuit "impugns" the company's
> reputation
>
> "We are disappointed that the city has chosen to take a position
> that goes beyond a dispute," the statement reads.
>
> Entergy had not filed a legal response to the city's claims as of
> Wednesday afternoon.