A 25-year-old San Diego utility customers advocacy group is disbanding in the wake of a federal grand jury investigation into its business practices and leadership.
Utility Consumers’ Action Network posted a release on its website announcing that it filed for dissolution last week.
UCAN focused its strategy on challenging rate hikes proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric and other area utilities, including public water and wastewater enterprises in San Diego and San Diego County.
UCAN received a federal grand jury subpoena on Feb. 22 demanding records and other information from the nonprofit advocacy group, according to the release.
The group also mentions numerous allegations against unnamed senior managers, including embezzlement, failure to comply with state auditing rules, acting without a license and entering into illegal contracts.
However, “no evidence confirming such allegations was provided by those lodging allegations, nor [was any proof] discovered by any of the professionals retained by UCAN’s board,” the statement said.
The organization filed a voluntary dissolution case in San Diego Superior Court that would permit it to continue advocating on behalf of utility consumers, according to the release.
