"California Regulator Sought Donation From Utility"

"SAN FRANCISCO -- California’s largest utility released an email Monday saying the state’s top regulator privately asked the company to donate more than $1 million to support a state-backed environmental ballot initiative.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. also said prosecutors have informed the utility that federal authorities are investigating the legality of five years of back-channel communications between PG&E and the utility commission. The U.S. attorney’s office said it would have no comment.

The email is the latest in a series released by the utility and others that allegedly show PG&E executives privately negotiating with California Public Utilities Commission officials on matters such as rate increases and financial penalties."

Ellen Knickmeyer reports for the Associated Press October 6, 2014.