Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Entergy Billed It for|Phantom Lights, City Says

BEAUMONT, Texas (CN) - Entergy Texas defrauded Beaumont for years by billing the city for lights that don't exist, for maintenance it never did, and for power that wasn't used, the city claims in Jefferson County Court.

Beaumont says it discovered the "shocking trends" in an audit. It pays Entergy for power from "well over 10,000 lights," and the power company billed for many of them at a more expensive, higher wattage than the bulbs actually have, Beaumont says.

The city added: "Defendant never seemed to accidentally charge for a lower wattage."

Beaumont says Entergy has done this "month after month, year after year," but does not specify the precise length of the alleged fraudulent billing. It adds that the citizens of Beaumont had to pay for this fraud through taxes.

The city demands refunds with interest, damages for fraud and breach of contract, and punitive damages. It is represented by Edward Fisher with Provost Umphrey.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...