PG&E Sidesteps Criminal Charges

(Santa Rosa, CA) — The Pacific Gas and Electric company in California is off the hook for criminal charges related to the massive Dixie fire and the 2019 Kincade fire. PG&E is cutting a deal with prosecutors for a civil penalty valued at 55-million dollars in lieu of criminal charges. The Sonoma County DA is dropping those charges and prosecutors elsewhere in the Sacramento valley and foothills are expected to do the same. The tens of millions of dollars will be paid in the form of fines, charitable contributions and other related payouts. Federal prosecutors are also investigating PG&E’s roll in the Dixie Fire, the second largest known fire in state history. They’re not party to this plea deal.