OG&E files suit against one of its contractors

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company claims it overpaid a contractor by $100,000 to $200,000 to dig trenches for underground utility lines.

OG&E filed a civil lawsuit Thursday saying Terra Tech LLC ran an overbilling scam similar to one in North Carolina. Terra Tech owner Jim Newman pleaded guilty to the out-of-state charges about eight years ago.

OG&E ended its contract with Terra Tech in May or June.

The utility company paid Terra Tech more than $11.4-million for work between 2000 and 2003.

OG&E attorney Roberta Browning Fields says Terra Tech did plenty of legitimate work for the utility.

She says Terra Tech mostly dug trenches but also helped clean up after ice storms.