Lynch, Sempra engage in final battle

Outgoing PUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch is certainly not exiting quietly. The Gray Davis appointee is looking to take Sempra out with her:

Within the last month, San Diego's Sempra Energy accused Lynch of a vendetta against the company and blamed her for a PUC investigation that concluded it rigged natural gas prices during the power crisis.

At the same time, a Sempra executive sued Lynch for invasion of privacy and said she may have violated state law for her role in a covert videotaping that captured him talking of political payments to influence the PUC.

What's more, Lynch's central role in an investigative television report about energy company influence at the PUC – a report that included the covert videotaping – sparked protests from the PUC president and others about unfair journalism.

...She leaves as a commissioner at year's end vilified by energy companies and applauded by consumer advocates, who note a curious turn in her career.

Of course, the role of PUC Commissioner is not to be loved by energy companies.