The lead investigator in a probe over whether the California Public Utilities Commission's former Executive Director Alice Stebbins made unethical hiring decisions testified on Thursday in Stebbins' whistleblower firing suit, acknowledging that two people interviewed for the report withheld information that could've revealed they had an "ax to grind" against Stebbins.
A California jury considering allegations that the California Public Utilities Commission fired Executive Director Alice Stebbins for whistleblowing saw text messages on Wednesday indicating the commission president expedited a report claiming Stebbins made unethical hiring decisions, for which she was purportedly terminated.
California Public Utilities Commission President Marybel Batjer in line for a second term of the troubled organization
Marybel Batjer is dealing with the fallout from a fired whistleblower and the CPUC s handling of PG&E after the deadly Camp Fire. Author: Brandon Rittiman Updated: 9:05 PM PST December 30, 2020
SACRAMENTO, Calif. The head of the state agency tasked with overseeing California utility companies, including PG&E, has been reappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom reappointed Marybel Batjer as President of the California Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday, one day before her term was set to end. The appointment requires Senate confirmation. She has led the commission since August 2019, taking over during the agency s investigation of the 2018 Camp Fire.
She noticed $200M missing from the CPUC, then she was fired
By Scott Morris article
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 27: The dome and exterior of the State Capitol building is viewed on January 27, 2015, in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is the capital city of the State of California and is located at the confluence of the Sacramento an
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Earlier this year, the governing board of one of California s most powerful regulatory agencies unleashed troubling accusations against its top employee.
Commissioners with the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, accused Executive Director Alice Stebbins of violating state personnel rules by hiring former colleagues without proper qualifications. They said the agency chief misled the public by asserting that as much as $200 million was missing from accounts intended to fund programs for the state s blind, deaf and poor. At a hearing in August, Commission President Marybel Batjer said that Stebbins had discredited the CPUC.
She Noticed $200 Million Missing, Then She Was Fired ProPublica 12/24/2020
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This article was produced in partnership with Bay City News Foundation, which is a member of the ProPublica Local Reporting Network.
Earlier this year, the governing board of one of California’s most powerful regulatory agencies unleashed troubling accusations against its top employee.
Commissioners with the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, accused Executive Director Alice Stebbins of violating state personnel rules by hiring former colleagues without proper qualifications. They said the agency chief misled the public by asserting that as much as $200 million was missing from accounts intended to fund programs for the state’s blind, deaf and poor. At a hearing in August, Commission President Marybel Batjer said that Stebbins had discredited the