PG&E to Plead Guilty in 84 Deaths Caused by Camp Fire

Some survivors have criticized the plea agreement as a slap on the wrist for PG&E.



They said local and state officials have repeatedly failed to hold the company, which serves about 16 million people in Northern and Central California, accountable for its failings because PG&E wields enormous economic and political clout in the state.Ms. Wehes son, Tommy, told the court in a written statement that the last time he and his wife heard from her was the night before the fire, when his mother called to say PG&E was cutting off her power.



Mr. Wehe said the company had not made amends for its mistakes. In fact, he said that the company dragged its feet when it came to settling claims with those who lost homes and loved ones in fires started by its equipment and, later, sought to chip away at the compensation it did agree to.They have put profits over people year after year and the state of California just keeps letting it happen, Mr. Wehe said in his statement. The companys acceptance of guilt is inconsequential if the appropriate safety measures are not enacted to prevent the future loss of life and property.



The California Public Utilities Commission separately fined PG&E almost $2 billion for its negligence in causing the wildfire. And the company could face additional penalties for violating the probation it was placed on after its six convictions for the San Bruno explosion. No company employees or executives are expected to face prison time.The outcome of the Camp Fire case could also influence a federal judge overseeing PG&Es probation arising from the gas explosion case. That judge, William H. Alsup, has the power to impose new penalties on the company for violating its probation.California state law limited how much the district attorney could try to extract from PG&E for each manslaughter charge. And larger fines from regulatory agencies might have placed too large a financial burden on the company as it races to emerge from bankruptcy.



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