Hospital district sues Southwestern Bell for $2 million

HOUSTON The suit claims that the amount of unauthorized "municipal charges" collected by Southwestern Bell exceeded the amount it paid to municipalities, a violation of state law and ordinances adopted by numerous cities in Harris County.

According to the lawsuit, from 1991 through February 2000, Southwestern Bell assessed and collected "municipal charges" from Harris County Hospital District and other local and state municipalities, despite lacking the approval of a Public Utility Commission tariff authorizing such charges. The suit also alleges the telephone company intentionally used false records in an attempt to conceal or decrease their obligation to repay the hospital district.

Southwestern Bell has approximately three weeks to answer the petition.

Read the lawsuit