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Construction Law
Class Action
Over-Charge

John Donaldson v. City of Long Beach

Published: Oct. 14, 2003 | Result Date: Sep. 12, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC251505 –  $0

Judge

Charles W. McCoy Jr.

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Robert D. Newman Jr.
(Western Center on Law and Poverty)

Virginia Keeny

Dan L. Stormer
(Hadsell, Stormer, Renick & Dai LLP)


Defendant

Robert E. Shannon

Sharon Margolies

Carol A. Shaw

Patrick A. Cathcart


Facts

The subject suit was a class action lawsuit initiated by Long Beach residents and the Long Beach Citizens for Utility Reform. The plaintiffs sought more than $38 million in refunds for natural gas bills during December 2000 through May 2001. A separate cause of action alleging illegal transfers of more than $250 million in gas profits to the city's general fund since the 1980s instead of reserving the money for emergencies was eliminated by demurrer in favor of the city.

Result

The Court granted Summary Judgment for the defense.

Other Information

The City of Long Beach is a plaintiff in litigation in San Diego against El Paso Natural Gas and others seeking to recover against suppliers who had allegedly precipitated the natural gas crisis.


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