Blumenthal
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is again attacking AT&T, asking Wednesday for the state's utility board to investigate alleged anti-competitive bidding and contracting practices.
Blumenthal said the Utility Contractors Association of Connecticut complained to his office in June that the company's new electronic bidding process keeps winning contractor and its bid a secret. Blumenthal already wants AT&T to restore customer-service jobs in the state.
Blumenthal filed his complaint over the bidding practices with the Department of Public Utility Control.
"The allegations in the UCAC letter raise important issues related to the efficient and safe provision of telecommunications services in Connecticut," he wrote. "The attorney general is very concerned about the UCAC claims that AT&T bidding and contracting policies are not open and transparent."
Blumenthal said "sunlight is the best disinfectant."
"The open competitive process continually spurs further price competition and provides the public and other bidders assurance that the process is competitive, fair and in the best interests of AT&T's customers," he wrote.
He requested the DPUC review AT&T's bidding process.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.