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PG&E Workers Fired For Lying About Inspections

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has fired or suspended nearly 20 workers after the utility discovered that legally required inspections may not have been performed.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the discovery has prompted PG&E to check more than 1,500 pieces of underground electrical equipment for possible safety hazards in the Bay Area.

PG&E officials told state regulators the company has fired or suspended eight company employees and 11 contract workers who said they performed required inspections but may have failed to do so.

The San Francisco-based utility said an employee notified supervisors that a colleague was certifying underground electrical switches and transformers as safe without ever inspecting them.

PG&E said it has re-inspected all of the facilities inspected by employees and contractors whose work was questioned.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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