California Public Utilities Commission Whistleblower Trial Wraps Up

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A whistleblower case against the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wrapped up in November 2022. The former, fired CPUC executive director is seeking up to $4.8 million for reporting “fiscal and operational dysfunction.” CPUC is denying the allegations.

Case background

The six week trial took place in California state court, in which Alice Stebbins, the former executive director, claimed she was fired for “shining a light on problems at the CPUC,” including their alleged failure to collect $200 million in utilities fees.

Stebbins was appointed to run the CPUC in February 2018, and was ousted 18 months later. The State Personnel Board reported that she had hired her own preferred, former colleagues, over other qualified candidates. Stebbins, on the other hand, claimed that the CPUC fired her because of her concerns—not the hiring decisions.

Stebbins’ lawyer claimed that she was pushed out of her job and public service after she was a “voice of change and…reason in an insane asylum.” He further claimed that the commissioners had “flimsy excuses” as to why Stebbins’ hires were not legitimate.

Stebbins and her lawyer requested an award up to $4.8 million, in addition to $1.4 million in economic damages. Her lawyer claims that she has suffered emotional distress as a result of the CPUC’s retaliatory firing, going out of their way to “destroy her completely and in a public way” in order to discourage further whistleblowers.

CPUC, on the other hand, argued that Stebbins was asked to resign before she blew the whistle, calling it a “manufactured whistleblowing claim.”

Whistleblowers play a key role in bringing misconduct to light. Whistleblowers have protections under both state and federal law. If your employer has wrongfully fired you in retaliation for speaking up, consider filing a whistleblower suit. A knowledgeable whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group can assist when you call today.

By Steve Kardell | Published March 16, 2023 | Posted in Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged California Public Utilities Commission, employer retaliation, misconduct

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