Metro to Receive $40 million from DWP

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that Metro should receive $39.4 million from the Department of Water and Power -- part of a $224-million verdict the utility company was ordered to pay to government agencies for overbilling them for nearly 20 years.

Judge John P. Wade ruled that the agency and the city since 1988 intentionally ignored California law and failed to determine how much it should legally charge.

California Law (government code sec. 54999) established limits on rates that municipal utilities can charge school districts, community colleges and other public agencies.

Aside from Metro, other civic agencies participated in the lawsuit, including LAUSD, which stands to net $94.7 million from the ruling. The trial lasted six weeks.

City officials plan to appeal the decision.