ECUA INVESTIGATION

The Pensacola News Journal is reporting the state attorney’s office is investigating whether the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority paid more than 1-million dollars in legal fees to the Lewis Bear Company without board approval. In 2007 ECUA won a lawsuit to obtain property through eminent domain to bury a sewer line on the business’ property, but was ordered to pay the Lewis Bear Company’s legal fees. Board Member Doctor Larry Walker said he was aware of the payment and considered the amount of money the Lewis Bear Company claimed in legal fees to be outrageous.