FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Judge Upholds City’s Award in Lawsuit

A judge has confirmed an award of $252,365 to the city of Fountain Valley against an electrical contractor who failed to complete computer work on time.

The award was against Sasco Electric of Cerritos, which was hired to install a computerized information system that provides data to city operators about its water pumps and wells.

City Atty. Alan R. Burns said Sasco started work March 1, 1989, was due to complete construction by Dec. 30, 1989, and was fired July 2, 1991, when the work was 18 months overdue.

Sasco filed a lawsuit against the city, contending the company was wrongfully fired and demanding $350,000 in damages, Burns said. Sasco’s attorney, Robert Throckmorton, was unavailable for comment.

Burns said the city hired Tesco Controls Inc. of Sacramento to finish the job, which was completed in November.

An arbitrator decided last September that the city had acted properly. Burns said that when Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Eleanor Palk confirmed the award Dec. 14, she granted the city additional attorney’s fees for a total award of $252,365.