subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Nov 23 2009 

Published: October 01, 2009 12:09 am    print this story  

PSC chairman says he knew nothing of aide's calls

DAVID HELLER
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Public Service Commission Chairman Matthew Carter said Wednesday that an aide's frequent calls to Florida Power & Light Co. executives had no impact on his votes.

Carter said he knew nothing of the calls by his chief adviser, William Garner, and surmised they were either personal or procedural — about such things as hearing schedules.

Garner called three FPL executives 107 times between February and August, according to an investigation by The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times.

It's the latest in a series of alleged ethical lapses by the commissioners or their staff members while they've been considering FPL's request for a $1.3 billion rate increase.

Carter said he didn't think the calls violated a state law that bans commissioners from communicating individually with utilities about pending cases and prohibits aides from relaying such information to them.

"It may look that way, but I don't think it does," Carter said. "My record speaks for itself ... It had no impact in my votes or anything like that."

Gov. Charlie Crist, who has opposed FPL and Progress Energy Florida rate increases, is expected later this week to decide whether to reappoint Carter and Commissioner Katrina McMurrian or replace them. The panel has not yet decided either rate case.

Garner and Roberta Bass, an aide to Commissioner Lisa Edgar, were placed on administrative leave more than three weeks ago pending an investigation of reports Garner had given FPL the private code for instant messaging from his smartphone and Bass had done so for Edgar's smartphone.

The instant messaging codes potentially allowed utility officials to communicate directly with commissioners outside public view.

Commissioner Nancy Argenziano's chief adviser, Larry Harris, resigned at her request after admitting he gave the code for his smartphone to an FPL executive.

The commission's lobbyist, Ryder Rudd, also resigned after acknowledging he attended a Kentucky Derby party at the home of an FPL executive.

An examination of cell phone records by the newspaper also showed Rudd made at least 48 calls to FPL officials while Bass made three. Bill McNulty, aide to Commissioner Nathan Skop, made eight calls to FLP representatives and five to a Progress Energy lobbyist.

Steve Stewart, a lawyer who has appeared before the commission as a utility expert and a frequent critic of the panel, said the calls feed the perception the PSC is too cozy with utilities.

"That's a lot of phone calls," Stewart said. "The PSC needs to rise above the perception and be fully transparent and let everybody know what kind of communication is going on."



print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

FINANCIAL SERVICE OFFICER
Financial Service
Officer
Job #10303
(AG-Consumer)

Farm Credit Services is seeking a Financi
...>MORE

PTA's
Join an awesome team
of Caring individuals
Apply within

KINGSBROOK
Lifecare Center
2500 S
...>MORE

RN/MDS COORDINATOR
Position open at Woodland Oaks. Experience preferred, but will train. We offer health & life insurance, paid vacat...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Cars, RVs and Boats

KAWASAKI KLR650
2008, 2500 mi., includes full luggage set, like new, $3,500. 831-4554. ...>MORE

DODGE CHARGER
‘08, low mi., fac. warranty, white, CD, all power, loaded, exc. shape, extra clean, $12,950. 606-571-2628....>MORE

MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT
2001, loaded, must see! $3,995. 606-232-6319...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

RACELAND HOME FOR SALE
3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, newly remodeled brick house. 1118 Green Acres Dr. $124,000. Call (606)836-8808...>MORE

PROPERTY FOR SALE
GRANDVIEW LAKE ROAD- 13.8 acres, 2 pd. water taps, 700’ of white PVC fencing. (606)739-0400....>MORE

FLATWOODS HOME FOR SALE
1519 Jonathan St. 3BR, 1BA, totally remodeled, on deadend street. $73,650. Motivated seller! Call (606)571-4258....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Deal of the Day

PUPPIES FOR SALE
MIN. PIN. PUPPIES- full stock 1 male $150, 3 females, $175 ea. Yorkie/ Shih Tzu mix, 2 males, $75 ea. 740-379-9176. ...>MORE

FIREWOOD FOR SALE
1 Full Rick
Call 606-923-0717
...>MORE

FITNESS CYCLE
LIFE FITNESS- Life Cycle 5500, new gym quality bike, $1700 new. Great Gift! $600 obo. 836-4889...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index