The head of CPS Energy says he's sorry.
CEO Doyle Beneby is apologizing to you the ratepayers for how the publicly owned utility has been spending thousands of dollars on expensive meals and parties.
During my investigation exposing those receipts Beneby declined to sit down for an interview to address the spending, only later calling to justify why he had business meetings at some of the priciest restaurants in town.
“There's just some places that are more conducive to conducting business. And quite frankly we view these kinds of discussions and benefits commensurate with the kinds of places we're having dinner,” said Beneby before my investigation hit the air.
Now in a blog posted on the utility's website Beneby writes - "I see and understand now, that although no policies or procedures were violated as they relate to meal expenditures, in the context of a municipally owned utility, and in accordance with the expectations of our employees and our community, trust has been violated, and for that please accept my sincere apologies."
His comments come after outrage from ratepayers and a directive from Mayor Julian Castro to stop the lavish spending.
Beneby noted in his blog that there was no violation of CPS Energy policies, but here's the inside story - that's not really true. During my investigation the utility admitted it has no policies regarding these type of meal expenditures, including the purchase of alcohol.
The utility is now promising to come up with policies at their board meeting later this month. And you can bet I'll be there to make sure they follow through and stop spending your money this way.
